Avalanche Watch Issued for Backcountry

Tom Darby

TRUCKEE, Cal. (Dec. 24, 2025) — The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche watch for backcountry areas around Reno and the greater Lake Tahoe region for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The watch, issued by the U.S. Forest Service Sierra Avalanche Center and relayed by the National Weather Service in Reno, warns that dangerous avalanche conditions could develop beginning Wednesday night.

According to officials, a high avalanche danger is possible tomorrow and Thursday night in the central Sierra Nevada mountains between Yuba Pass on Highway 49 and Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4, including the Lake Tahoe area. The alert applies only to backcountry terrain and does not include ski resorts or highways where avalanche mitigation programs are in place.

The avalanche watch is in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Thursday.

A powerful winter storm bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds could trigger widespread avalanche activity. Large avalanches capable of burying or seriously injuring people are possible in backcountry areas.

Authorities strongly advise against traveling in, near, or below backcountry avalanche terrain during periods of high avalanche danger.