California Snow Data
The California Snow Data page contains resources from the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC) in open and machine readable format. These resources include snow sensor and snow course metadata and measurements and snow water content data. Snow courses are typically sampled manually around the beginning of the month during the February through May period. The procedure for snow course sampling is detailed in the [Snow Survey Procedure Manual](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/SnowSurveyProcedureManualv20141027.pdf). Snow sensor data is automatically collected at 15-minute intervals and is available in daily and monthly intervals in the resources below. The source data and additional data and plots can be accessed from CDEC’s website (https://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow.html). For additional data visualizations, please visit the California Cooperative Snow Survey Program’s website and browse their dashboards (https://snow.water.ca.gov/).
Data files
| Data title and description | Access data | File details | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|
Station Metadata Station metadata provides information related to active sensor stations including their location, elevation, start date, operation and maintenance agencies. | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Daily Snow Water Content (1954-1980) The URL provides access to adjusted snow water equivalent data for the 1954–1980 calendar years from [active snow sensors](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=SnowSensors) in California. Data availability varies by station. Alternatively, the adjusted snow water equivalent data can be directly accessed and downloaded through the [CDEC Sensor Group JSON and CSV Web Services](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/groupform). To retrieve the data, specify: Group ID: SW1 Desired Start and End Dates: in the request parameters | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Daily Snow Water Content (1981-1990) The URL provides access to adjusted snow water equivalent data for the 1981–1990 calendar years from active snow sensors in California. Data availability varies by station. Alternatively, the adjusted snow water equivalent data can be directly accessed and downloaded through the [CDEC Sensor Group JSON and CSV Web Services](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/groupform). To retrieve the data, specify: Group ID: SW1 Desired Start and End Dates: in the request parameters | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Daily Snow Water Content (1991-2000) The URL provides access to adjusted snow water equivalent data for the 1991–2000 calendar years from [active snow sensors](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=SnowSensors) in California. Data availability varies by station. Alternatively, the adjusted snow water equivalent data can be directly accessed and downloaded through the [CDEC Sensor Group JSON and CSV Web Services](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/groupform). To retrieve the data, specify: Group ID: SW1 Desired Start and End Dates: in the request parameters | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Daily Snow Water Content (2001-2010) The URL provides access to adjusted snow water equivalent data for the 2001–2010 calendar years from active snow sensors in California. Data availability varies by station. Alternatively, the adjusted snow water equivalent data can be directly accessed and downloaded through the [CDEC Sensor Group JSON and CSV Web Services](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/groupform). To retrieve the data, specify: Group ID: SW1 Desired Start and End Dates: in the request parameters | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Daily Snow Water Content (2011-2020) The URL provides access to adjusted snow water equivalent data for the 2011–2022 calendar years from active snow sensors in California. Data availability varies by station. Alternatively, the adjusted snow water equivalent data can be directly accessed and downloaded through the [CDEC Sensor Group JSON and CSV Web Services](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/groupform). To retrieve the data, specify: Group ID: SW1 Desired Start and End Dates: in the request parameters | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Daily Snow Water Content (2021-present) The URL provides access to adjusted snow water equivalent data for the 2021–present calendar years from [active snow sensors](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=SnowSensors) in California. Data availability varies by station. Alternatively, the adjusted snow water equivalent data can be directly accessed and downloaded through the [CDEC Sensor Group JSON and CSV Web Services](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/groupform). To retrieve the data, specify: Group ID: SW1 Desired Start and End Dates: in the request parameters | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Snow Course Metadata Snow course metadata provides information related to active snow courses including their location, elevation, start date, operation and maintenance agencies, and the measurement schedule. | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Monthly Snow Water Content and Depth The url provides access to monthly snow water content and depth data for [active snow courses in California](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=SnowCourses). Currently, the data is displayed in a stacked format for each variable—snow water content and snow depth. In the future, these variables will be presented side by side for easier comparison. | Download | CSV | 01/14/26 |
Supporting files
| Data title and description | Access data | File details | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|
Snow Survey Procedure The manual provides guidelines and standardized procedures for conducting snow surveys to measure snow depth and water content. It covers various aspects of the snow survey process, ensuring consistency and accuracy in data collection. It describes the equipment used (snow tubes, scales, thermometers) and the step-by-step process for measuring snow depth and water content, provides guidelines for recording and reporting data, ensuring precision in measurements, includes instructions for selecting representative sites that accurately reflect snow conditions across a larger area. It also includes safety protocols for the survey. | Download | PDF | 01/14/26 |
Data Flag Definitions Includes information about commonly used data flag. | Download | 01/14/26 | |
Flood Emergency Response Information Exchange (FERIX) Flood Emergency Response Information Exchange (FERIX) is developed by the California Department of Water Resources to improve flood emergency preparedness, response and recovery in California. It provides participating agencies an online system to access and exchange current flood information in real-time through Web GIS interface. It integrates geo-referenced databases, a real-time data collection and exchange system, and a decision support system supporting other DWR programs, various hydrologic and hydraulic computer models and tools, and applicable flood-related documents. | Download | WEB APPLICATION | 01/14/26 |
CDEC Station Locator Web Application This GIS web application helps search and filter stations of interest, view and download data. For snow related data products, please use appropriate sensor filters and sensor types. | Download | WEB APPLICATION | 01/14/26 |
Snow Data Query Interface The interface helps query daily sensor data or monthly snow course data among many other types of data CDEC hosts. ** For Snow Course Data: ** * Input Station ID (refer to Station Metadata for Station ID). For multiple stations, use IDs separated by comma. * Choose Sensor #3 for monthly snow water content data and Sensor #18 for monthly snow depth data * Input start and end dates for the period of data you are interested in. For all available data in record, enter start date = 1900-01-01, end date = today's date ** For Daily Snow Sensor Data: ** * Input Station ID (refer to Station Metadata for Station ID). For multiple stations, use IDs separated by comma. * Choose Sensor #3 for Raw daily snow water equivalent data and Sensor #82 for revised daily snow depth data, for daily snow depth data input Sensor = 18. * Input start and end dates for the period of data you are interested in. For all available data in record, enter start date = 1900-01-01, end date = today's date ** For Regional Monthly Data (??) ** * Input Station ID (refer to Station Metadata for Station ID). For multiple stations, use IDs separated by comma. * Choose Sensor #3 for Raw daily snow water equivalent data and Sensor #82 for revised daily snow depth data, for daily snow depth data input Sensor = 18. * Input start and end dates for the period of data you are interested in. For all available data in record, enter start date = 1900-01-01, end date = today's date For more guidance on data query in different forms and formats, please refer to the [link](https://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=WebDMAppsAPIDocs.pdf) | Download | WEB APPLICATION | 01/14/26 |