health
February 19, 2026
Avalanche risks remain high in California after deaths of skiers
Forecasters predict more snow in Sierra Nevada mountains as climate crisis increases threat of dangerous conditions
TL;DR
- Avalanche risks are high in California's Sierra Nevada after the region's deadliest snowslide in modern history.
- Experts link increased avalanche danger to the climate crisis, causing swings between dry periods and severe storms.
- Recent heavy storms dumped significant snowfall after a period of record-low snowpack and warm temperatures.
- The rapid accumulation of dense 'Sierra Cement' snow on icy layers created unstable conditions prone to slides.
- An avalanche on Tuesday killed eight backcountry skiers, with one still missing and six rescued.
- The event is the deadliest single avalanche in the US in 45 years, with warnings at level four out of five (high potential).
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