Lake Tahoe Just Got 100 Inches of Snow, but It's Snowpack Is Still Below Average, Here's Why

After a concerningly dry start to winter in the Lake Tahoe area, the faucet finally turned on in mid-February for the Sierras.

In the middle of last month, one of the mega-storms California is known for hit Tahoe's ski areas, burying them under feet of snow. As of February 18, Palisades Tahoe had seen 61 inches of snow and 79 inches measured on the upper mountain. The resort would end up with a storm total of more than 100 inches.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Northstar all got between 50 and 65 inches as well. In the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Mountain got at least 63 inches of snow.

As resorts worked to dig out and open safely amidst the storm, skiers rejoiced. Was this the storm that would save the season? Not so fast.

Keep reading for how Tahoe's snowpack was wiped out.

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Many of Tahoe's ski areas see average annual snowfalls around 400".

As of last week, Sugar Bowl was reporting a season-to-date total of 288", with 105" of that falling during the February storm. Palisades Tahoe was measuring a total seasonal snowfall of 278". As of February 25, California's snowpack was at 73% of its seasonal average.

However, on Tuesday, February 24th, the weather took a turn.

Temperatures spiked above freezing, and precipitation came in with an inch of rain falling at Palisades Tahoe during the day and another 1.16 inches that night. Snow levels rose to 9,800 ft. and rain continued through Wednesday. Although temperatures have dropped a bit since then, the Sierras have continued to receive rain, even at high elevations.

Some parts of the region have reported over six inches of rain since the 24th.

Palisades Tahoe reported a base depth of over 90 inches at one point during the storm. As of March 3, however, the resort has a base depth of 63" at 8,000 ft. and 40" at 6,200 ft. The heavy rain and warm temperatures that immediately followed the 100-inch storm did a number on this season's base snowpack, causing it to melt out.

In just a week, California's snowpack has dropped back to 60% of its average, almost erasing any progress the storm had made.

See below for the current Snow Water Equivalent map for the Western U.S.

Without much snow in the forecast for the Sierras, it's tough to think the snowpack will have much chance to recover this year, and much of the American West is in a similar scenario.

The beginning of March marks the start of meteorological Spring. Skiers are hoping a few "Miracle March" storms come to fruition and fast.

Do your snow dances.