Although we haven't had precipitation for a few weeks up here, Big Bear Lake is benefiting from the snow melt in the surrounding mountains with water levels rising 5 inches just last week. The previous week saw a 4 inch rise proceeded by a week with a 3 inch rise. So it seems that the snow is melting and feeding the lake at an increasing rate.
Overall, at 11 feet 10 inches from full, the lake has gained 5 feet 1 inch from it's low point last December. The big question on everyone's mind is how much snow is left in the surrounding mountains and how much will the lake levels rise when it melts. It's a tricky question. But the shaded, north-facing south shore slopes are still visibly covered in snow and the sun exposed slopes are still producing runoff at impressive rates.
This year's above average precipitation levels seem to have had a positive impact on Big Bear lakefront home sales. I think the wet winter put people's fears of continued drought to rest as I have heard a more optimistic tone from prospective waterfront buyers recently.
In fact, 3 of the last 4 lakefront homes to have sold so far this year were shallow water and still do not have dock access. This exemplifies the buyer optimism I mentioned as people are speculating about higher lake levels resulting in significant price appreciation.
Predicting the weather or what the market will do next is tricky. But there's no reason to doubt people's optimism about both moving forward.