Climate change reduces the Sierra Nevada snowpack by increasing temperatures, leading to more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow.

Climate change has caused temperatures in the Sierra Nevada to rise, particularly in the spring and fall. This warming trend results in more precipitation falling as rain rather than snow, reducing the amount of snowpack that typically accumulates in the mountains. Snowpack is a critical source of water for the region, as it slowly melts in the spring and summer, feeding rivers and reservoirs. As snowpack levels decline, the region faces challenges related to water availability, agriculture, and ecosystems that depend on the gradual release of snowmelt.