Storm to increase avalanche danger on Saturday

Avalanche danger is expected to reach high levels on Saturday at all elevations, the Sierra Avalanche Center reported on Friday.

Avalanches have been occurring throughout the central Sierra, with 21 observed over the past week.

“Winds continue to blow and drift snow, causing continued post-storm loading of persistent weak layers in the backcountry snowpack,” according to the center’s web site. “The number of avalanches triggered in the past 24 hours shows that these layers have been brought to the breaking point.”

Palisades Tahoe between Lake Tahoe and Truckee, where a skier was killed in an avalanche on Wednesday, reported a second avalanche 12:30 p.m. Thursday near Wolverine Bowl on the Alpine side, according to the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

“Ski patrol conducted avalanche hazard mitigation prior to opening the ski area, including shots from a 105mm howitzer and ski cutting through the area,” said Palisades Tahoe PR Manager Patrick Lacey.

There were no reports of injuries as a result of Thursday’s slide.

“Backcountry travelers can expect avalanches failing 2-6 feet deep in the snowpack again today, often triggered from lower angle connected terrain,” according to sierraavalanchecenter.org on Friday.

“Very conservative terrain choices are recommended.”