With seasonal snowfall totals near or above normal in the Sierra, the winter has been far better than the dry ski season last year. With a few days left in the month, so far, March has been remarkably dry. With just a trace of rain this month, Sacramento is on track to set a record for the driest March. Other Central Valley towns are close as well. In Bakersfield the difference between a trace and zero rain recorded in 1933-34, is all that separates this year from a record.

Here in the Eastern Sierra, Sierrawave Forecast Specialist Dennis Mattinson reports that the rainfall total for March, taken at the Bishop Airport, is zero. The thirty year average for the airport checks in at .39.

Mammoth Mountain reports an 8 March so far, the third driest since 68/69, according to the Mammoth Mountain website. There was a 1 March in 71/72, and a 2 March in 96/97. Last year, a grim year for snow at Mammoth, March had 19 of snow.

There is some moisture out there in the forecasts. Whether the clouds come our way in March and leave the record dry month for another year, is up to the winds.

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