California Avalanche Leaves Ten Skiers Missing Amid Severe Weather
Published 18 February 2026
Highlights
- An avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe region has left 10 skiers missing, with six others found and awaiting rescue.
- The incident occurred near Castle Peak, with dangerous weather conditions persisting, including high avalanche risks.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom's office is coordinating a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation.
- The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a high avalanche danger warning, advising against travel in affected areas.
- Heavy snowfall and severe weather have led to road closures and ski resort shutdowns in the Sierra Nevada region.
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Rewritten Article
California Avalanche Leaves Ten Skiers Missing Amid Severe Weather
An avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe region has left ten backcountry skiers missing, while six others have been located and are awaiting rescue. The avalanche struck the Castle Peak area near Truckee around 11:30 AM PST on Tuesday, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. The group, consisting of four guides and twelve clients, was caught in the avalanche as severe weather conditions continue to batter the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Rescue operations are currently in progress, involving 46 emergency responders, including highly skilled ski teams from nearby resorts. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office has advised the six known survivors to shelter in place as they await rescue. Captain Russell Greene of the sheriff's office described the rescue mission as a "slow, tedious process" due to the high avalanche danger, which poses significant risks to rescuers.
Statewide Coordination and Warnings
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office has announced a coordinated search-and-rescue effort involving state and local emergency teams. The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a high avalanche danger warning, rating the risk as four out of five, and has advised against travel in or near avalanche-prone areas. The center expects large avalanches to occur through Wednesday morning, with the potential to impact treed areas.
Impact of Severe Weather
The avalanche is part of a broader weather system affecting the region, with the University of California Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Lab reporting significant snowfall. The National Weather Service has predicted heavy snowfalls of up to seven feet at higher elevations, leading to road closures, including Interstate 80 and Highway 50. Several ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area have closed due to the adverse conditions, and Yosemite National Park has issued warnings for visitors.
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Scenario Analysis
As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on locating the ten missing skiers amid challenging weather conditions. The incident highlights the inherent risks of backcountry skiing, especially during severe weather events. The ongoing storm system is expected to bring further snowfall, complicating rescue operations and increasing avalanche risks. Experts emphasize the importance of heeding avalanche warnings and exercising caution in affected areas. The situation underscores the need for robust emergency response coordination and public awareness of weather-related hazards in mountainous regions.
An avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe region has left ten backcountry skiers missing, while six others have been located and are awaiting rescue. The avalanche struck the Castle Peak area near Truckee around 11:30 AM PST on Tuesday, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. The group, consisting of four guides and twelve clients, was caught in the avalanche as severe weather conditions continue to batter the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Rescue operations are currently in progress, involving 46 emergency responders, including highly skilled ski teams from nearby resorts. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office has advised the six known survivors to shelter in place as they await rescue. Captain Russell Greene of the sheriff's office described the rescue mission as a "slow, tedious process" due to the high avalanche danger, which poses significant risks to rescuers.
Statewide Coordination and Warnings
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office has announced a coordinated search-and-rescue effort involving state and local emergency teams. The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a high avalanche danger warning, rating the risk as four out of five, and has advised against travel in or near avalanche-prone areas. The center expects large avalanches to occur through Wednesday morning, with the potential to impact treed areas.
Impact of Severe Weather
The avalanche is part of a broader weather system affecting the region, with the University of California Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Lab reporting significant snowfall. The National Weather Service has predicted heavy snowfalls of up to seven feet at higher elevations, leading to road closures, including Interstate 80 and Highway 50. Several ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area have closed due to the adverse conditions, and Yosemite National Park has issued warnings for visitors.
What this might mean
As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on locating the ten missing skiers amid challenging weather conditions. The incident highlights the inherent risks of backcountry skiing, especially during severe weather events. The ongoing storm system is expected to bring further snowfall, complicating rescue operations and increasing avalanche risks. Experts emphasize the importance of heeding avalanche warnings and exercising caution in affected areas. The situation underscores the need for robust emergency response coordination and public awareness of weather-related hazards in mountainous regions.
