February Storms Fizzle Out as Lake Tahoe’s Snowpack Stagnates Amid Unseasonable Thaw

Lake Tahoe’s snowpack, initially boosted by a mid-February storm, has not returned to average levels as of March 2026. The storm added 100 inches of snow at Palisades Tahoe and 50–65 inches at other resorts, temporarily raising regional snowpack. However, subsequent warm temperatures and rainfall caused rapid melting, reducing much of the gain. By March 3, California’s statewide snowpack was at 60% of its historical average, with the Lake Tahoe basin showing more pronounced declines.

SNOTEL stations in the Lake Tahoe basin report severe conditions. Key locations show snow water equivalent (SWE) levels near zero, significantly below median levels. Mt. Rose Ski Area (8,810 ft) recorded 1.0 inch of SWE—3% of its median—while Marlette Lake (7,860 ft) had 1.6 inches, or 7% of median. Most other sites, including Palisades Tahoe (8,010 ft) and Echo Peak (7,650 ft), show 0.0 inches of SWE, equivalent to 0% of median. These figures contrast with the Southern Sierra, where snowpack is at 90% of average, but highlight the stark disparity in the Northern Sierra, where major reservoirs are at 46% of average.

The February storm, which delivered 111 inches of snow at the Central Sierra Snow Lab near Donner Summit between February 16–20, 2026—marking the third-highest five-day snowfall since 1946—initially improved the state’s water supply. However, rapid melting following the storm, worsened by temperatures exceeding 40°F, caused substantial losses. By February 25, the statewide snowpack had risen to 73% of average, but by March 3, it had fallen to 60%, nearly reversing the gains. Palisades Tahoe, which had a 79-inch snowfall total by February 18 and exceeded 100 inches by season’s end, saw its base depth drop to 63 inches at 8,000 ft and 40 inches at 6,200 ft by March 3, reflecting localized melt impacts.

Meteorologists indicate no significant precipitation is expected through mid-March, leaving limited time for snowpack recovery. Andy Reising of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) noted the state is approximately 57% of where it needs to be by April 1, the traditional peak date for snowpack. With the snowpack now at 59% of average, the region faces heightened drought risk, particularly in the Northern Sierra, where reservoirs are critically low. The DWR underscores the need to modernize infrastructure to capture water during rare, intense storms, as the state’s reliance on a few major events has intensified due to warming temperatures.

Despite the snowpack decline, ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area remain operational, though conditions are challenging. Palisades Tahoe, which reported 79 inches of snow on the upper mountain by February 18, has 89% of its terrain open. However, recent melting has prompted some resorts to focus on restoring lift operations and maintaining trail conditions. Resorts like Heavenly and Northstar, which received 50–65 inches of snow during the February storm, are also navigating the transition from winter to spring, with some areas experiencing early runoff.

Historically, the Sierra Nevada snowpack peaks around April 1, after which it transitions to generating runoff into rivers and reservoirs. This year’s snowpack, however, is projected to peak later than usual, complicating water management. Experts like Daniel Swain of the University of California, Los Angeles, warn that the state’s wet-dry swings, driven by rising temperatures, are altering the water cycle. While the February storm provided temporary relief, the long-term outlook remains uncertain, with the region’s water security increasingly dependent on capturing water during infrequent, intense storms.