Avalanche Watch Issued for Central Sierra Nevada, Including Lake Tahoe Area

The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a Backcountry Avalanche Watch for the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains from Ebbets Pass (CA-4) north to Yuba Pass (CA-49), which includes the greater Lake Tahoe area.

THE BOTTOM LINE (issued Wednesday April 20th)

Watch out for slabs wind-blown snow near ridgelines and rapid warming on sunny slopes today. Signs of instability include cracks in the snow, recent avalanches, blowing snow, and wet snow. If you see any of these, move away from steep slopes and into areas not steep enough to avalanche.

The avalanche danger will increase tonight and tomorrow as a strong winter storm brings wind and feet of snow to the region.

Periods of HIGH avalanche danger may occur Thursday and Friday. A winter storm bringing feet of new snow and strong winds may result in widespread avalanche activity in the mountains.

The following message is transmitted at the request of the U.S.
Forest Service Sierra Avalanche Center.

The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a BACKCOUNTRY
AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas:

NVZ002 (Greater Lake Tahoe), CAZ072 (Greater Lake Tahoe (CA))

* WHAT...Periods of HIGH avalanche danger may occur Thursday and
Friday.

* WHERE...Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass (Hwy
49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass(Hwy 4) on the south,
including the greater Lake Tahoe area.

* WHEN...from 4 PM Wednesday to 4 PM Friday.

* IMPACTS...A winter storm bringing feet of new snow and strong
winds may result in widespread avalanche activity in the
mountains. Heavy snow loading could cause large and destructive
avalanches.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche
conditions may occur. Travel in and near avalanche terrain is
not recommended during HIGH avalanche danger.

Consult https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/ or
www.avalanche.org for more detailed information.

Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the
coverage area of this or any avalanche center.

• Related: SnowBrains Forecast: 30+ Inches for California by the Weekend

Heavy snow loading could cause large and destructive avalanches. Very dangerous avalanche conditions may occur. Travel in and near avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Consult sierraavalanchecenter.org for more detailed information.