Reno, NV – A HIGH avalanche danger is in effect across the Greater Lake Tahoe region, creating life-threatening backcountry conditions through early Friday.
According to the U.S. Forest Service Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee, an Avalanche Warning remains in effect until 5 a.m. PST Friday for the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains, including areas between Yuba Pass (Highway 49) to the north and Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4) to the south. The warning covers both NVZ002 (Greater Lake Tahoe, Nevada) and CAZ072 (Greater Lake Tahoe, California) zones.
Forecasters report that rapidly accumulating snowfall, weak underlying snowpack layers, and gale-force winds capable of drifting snow have created extremely unstable conditions. Large natural avalanches are likely, and human-triggered avalanches capable of burying or injuring people are very likely.
The warning applies to backcountry terrain only and does not include ski resorts or highways where avalanche mitigation programs are active.
Officials advise that traveling in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended during periods of HIGH avalanche danger. Backcountry users, including skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers, face elevated risk during this event.
Additional details and safety guidance are available at sierraavalanchecenter.org and avalanche.org.
Similar dangerous avalanche conditions may exist outside the coverage area of this avalanche center.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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