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).