Avalanche Watch

FROM: NWS Reno NV
AREA: Greater Lake Tahoe Area; Greater Lake Tahoe Area
SENT: 2026-02-16T10:56:00-08:00

Avalanche Watch issued February 16 at 10:56AM PST by NWS Reno NV

AVAREV

The following message is transmitted at the request of the U.S.
Forest Service Sierra Avalanche Center.

The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a BACKCOUNTRY
AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas: NWS Reno NV – NVZ002
(Greater Lake Tahoe)…CAZ072 (Greater Lake Tahoe (CA))

* WHAT…HIGH avalanche danger is anticipated in the backcountry
Monday evening, lasting through Tuesday night, and possibly into
Wednesday.

* 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 Sun 07:45 PST to Tue 05:00 PST.

* IMPACTS…A powerful storm with rapidly accumulating snowfall
and strong winds may cause widespread avalanche activity in the
mountains. Large avalanches capable of burying or injuring
people could occur in backcountry areas.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…Very dangerous avalanche
conditions could occur in the backcountry. Traveling in, near,
or below backcountry avalanche terrain during HIGH avalanche
danger is not recommended.

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.

Alert Expiration: 2026-02-17T05:00:00-08:00