Sierra Snowpack Disappearing In All This Heat: Images

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Two images from space show significant visual changes to the size of the Sierra snowpack in the past two months.

The images, taken on April 18, 2016 and June 7, 2016 by the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, show a comparison of the dwindling California Sierra snowpack due to what it points to as record or above normal heat and persistent high pressure in the state.

Tuesday, a tweeted image from the National Weather Service/Bay Area showed continuing heat extending north to south.

The issue appears to persist beyond our northern border, as Oregon officials reported Wednesday the early loss of snowpack there increases the danger of early forest fires in the state.

Just a few months ago, on March 30, state officials were thrilled to announce the snowpack was nearly five feet higher than at the same time the previous year.

Surveyors in March found 58.4 inches of snow at Phillips Station with a water content 97 percent of the long-term historical average.

It has not taken long for a good deal of that snow to melt.

-images via UW-Madison CIMSS