http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-snowpack-survey-march-20170301-story.html
California’s snowpack is far above average at high elevation, but snow line, i.e., elevation at which snowpack begins is also high, reducing the area of the snowpack compared to historical snow coverage. This circumstance is the result of relatively warm storms, which rain rather than snow except at higher elevations. Additionally, warmer temperatures overall thaw snow more quickly.