Weather Alert in California
Avalanche Warning issued February 24 at 5:44AM PST by NWS Reno NV
AREAS AFFECTED: Greater Lake Tahoe Area; Greater Lake Tahoe Area
DESCRIPTION: AVWREV 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.
INSTRUCTION: N/A
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Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds
Next Topic: Sleet
A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front
of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.
A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing
storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen.
As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it,
because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud,
it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.
Next Topic: Sleet
Weather Topic: What is Snow?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Snow
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
Snow is precipitation taking the form of ice crystals. Each ice crystal, or snowflake,
has unique characteristics, but all of them grow in a hexagonal structure.
Snowfall can last for sustained periods of time and result in significant buildup
of snow on the ground.
On the earth's surface, snow starts out light and powdery, but as it begins to melt
it tends to become more granular, producing small bits of ice which have the consistency of
sand. After several cycles of melting and freezing, snow can become very dense
and ice-like, commonly known as snow pack.
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
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