The heaviest of the snowfall may be finished in the Sierra Nevada, but the risk for avalanche remained high enough Monday that the National Weather Service issued an avalanche watch.
The watch went into effect at 8:35 a.m. and will stay in place until 5 a.m. Tuesday. The weather service issued the alert for the Greater Lake Tahoe area.
“A significant, high elevation rain on snow event may cause widespread avalanche activity in the mountains,” the weather service wrote. “Large avalanches capable of burying or injuring people could occur in backcountry areas.”
The approaching storm is more likely to bring rain than snow, according to the weather service. Any snow that falls is likely to do so after above 7,000 feet. It’s expected to fall Tuesday and let up on Wednesday except in elevations near 10,000 feet.
The alert came after nine skiers died in an avalanche near Castle Peak last Tuesday. The slide was the deadliest in California history.
According to the weather service, people, new snow and wind can cause avalanches to begin.
Ski officials have said the snow is unstable because it fell is such large amounts last week. Palisades Tahoe received between 10 to 10½ feet during last week’s blizzard.
It’s been a dangerous time in Tahoe. In addition to the fatal avalanche, two skiers died in incidents at Heavenly Ski Resort and another died at Northstar California Resort last week.