This first measurement shows snow pack levels are about 60-percent of where they should be at this point in the season.  That’s according to Senior Meteorologist Elissa Lynn with the state Department of Water Resources.  She says it was about the same at this time last year—but then things changed 

 “Last January was just terrible, it really dried out. By the end of January last year our course measurements were down to about forty-percent of average…”
 
Those dry conditions persisted through much of the year.  State officials measured water content of the snow at four different locations for their initial survey.  They use the results to forecast the year’s water supply.  They’re hoping the rain and snow over the next few days will help improve the state’s water outlook.