Avalanche Alert: A Storm’s Dangerous Mix of Rain and Snow

The National Weather Service has put the Greater Lake Tahoe region on high alert for avalanches until 5 a. m. Tuesday, even though the heaviest snowfall in the Sierra Nevada may have already passed. The warning started at 8:35 a. m. Monday and warns that a heavy rain‑on‑snow event could trigger large avalanches in the backcountry. Those avalanches might bury or injure people. \n\nA new storm is expected to bring more rain than snow, with any snowfall likely only above 7, 000 feet. The weather service predicts that the precipitation will arrive on Tuesday and taper off by Wednesday, except at elevations near 10, 000 feet.\n\nThe alert follows a tragic incident last Tuesday when nine skiers were killed by an avalanche near Castle Peak, the deadliest in California’s history. The event highlighted how quickly unstable snow can become dangerous. \n\nExperts say that a combination of fresh snowfall, wind loading and the weight of people can trigger avalanches. Last week’s blizzard deposited between 10 and 10½ feet of snow on Palisades Tahoe, leaving the slope unstable. \n\nAuthorities urge anyone heading into backcountry areas to check the latest avalanche forecasts, carry proper safety gear, and avoid risky slopes until conditions improve.