Lake Tahoe received a massive 100-inch snow dump in February, but warm rain quickly melted much of it, leaving the snowpack at just 60% of average by March 3rd. Palisades Tahoe's base depth plummeted from over 90 inches to 63 inches at 8,000 feet, erasing nearly all gains from the storm. This rapid melt, triggered by temperatures spiking above freezing and 1.16 inches of rain at the resort, wiped out progress made during the February storm.

California's snowpack now sits at 60% of its seasonal average, down from 73% just days earlier. The Sierra Nevada's snow recovery this year is now highly unlikely, as little snow is forecast for the rest of winter. Skiers and resorts face a shortened season, while the region's water supply remains critically low.