Avalanche — Greater Lake Tahoe Area, California

2020-01-17 · Greater Lake Tahoe Area, California

Event narrative

A large avalanche occurred between the Scott Chute and the Promised Land at Alpine Meadows Resort. 2 individuals were involved with one fatal injury with the other skier having severe lower-body injuries. A strong winter storm had hit in the previous 12-24 hours with 25 inches at the summit and over 15 inches at the base. Weather was mostly cloudy with high clouds at the time of the avalanche and light winds.

Wider weather episode

A stronger storm system moved across the Sierra Nevada mainly on the 16th, with lighter snow showers and icy roads lingering into the morning of the 17th. This storm produced strong winds, but it also produced more significant precipitation that previous storms, mainly as snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 901386. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.