Active AlertsSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

The following message is transmitted at the request of the U.S. Forest Service Sierra Avalanche Center. BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED 05:30 PST Tue Feb 24 2026 The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas: NWS Reno NV - NVZ002 (Greater Lake Tahoe)CAZ072 (Greater Lake Tahoe (CA))
What: HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry. Large avalanches are expected across backcountry terrain.
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. This applies only to backcountry areas, not to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation programs exist.
When: In effect from Tue 05:30 PST to Wed 07:00 PST.
Impacts: Significant rain on snow at all elevations will create widespread dangerous avalanche conditions in the mountains. Large avalanches capable of burying or injuring people are very likely in backcountry areas. Avalanches could travel farther downslope than usual and may run into areas traditionally thought of as safe. Natural avalanches are likely, and human-triggered avalanches are very likely.
Precautionary / Preparedness Actions: Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry. Traveling in, near, or below backcountry 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.