California in for ‘ugly summer’ amid one of the worst snowpacks on record - San Francisco Chronicle

California is bracing for severe water shortages this summer due to one of the lowest snowpack levels on record in the state's mountains. The snowpack, which typically melts gradually through spring and summer to supply reservoirs and irrigation systems, is critically depleted, leaving limited water reserves for the hot months ahead. State officials warn the combination of low snowpack and anticipated summer heat could force significant water rationing across agricultural regions and urban areas that depend on mountain runoff. The shortage threatens both agricultural production in the Central Valley and domestic water supplies for millions of residents. California faces this crisis amid years of drought conditions that have strained the state's water infrastructure and raised questions about long-term water management in the West.