Avalanche warnings in place for Lake Tahoe back country and Crystal Bay

March 16 3:00 PM update: Washoe County has issued a Stage 2 Avalanche Alert for the Crystal Bay and Third Creek area. Stage 2 Avalanche Alert Action: In a Stage 2 Avalanche alert, if you choose to evacuate, please do so now or within the next 2-4 hours.

The next and final alert is a Stage 3 Avalanche Alert.

Stage 3 Avalanche Alert Action: A Stage 3 Avalanche alert signifies a shelter-in-place alert and a warning to NOT leave your home for up to 24 hours.

"During an avalanche alert, Washoe County Emergency Management will alert our residents in all affected areas through a reverse-dial phone call. To sign up to receive reverse-dial phone calls, please click here to sign up for CodeRED phone alerts," says Aaron Kenneston, Washoe County Emergency Manager.

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An avalanche warning is effect for the central Sierra Nevada from Yuba Pass on Highway 49 down to Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4, including the greater Lake Tahoe area. This high level warning applies only to backcountry areas outside of established ski area boundaries and highway corridors where avalanche mitigation programs exist except for the Crystal Bay area of Lake Tahoe.

Strong winds, significant snow accumulation and intense snowfall rates will create unstable avalanche conditions in the backcountry. Expect widespread avalanches both above and below treeline.

A Stage One Avalanche Alert has been issued for the Crystal Bay/Third Creek area at Incline. It is the lowest alert, but warns residents in that area to be prepared.

Washoe County’s Avalanche expert reports that the snowfall intensity and totals, along with strong winds were more than expected last night, and snow depths are now covering the anchors in Crystal Bay. The levels are being monitored; should the storm continue at this strength throughout the day, the avalanche warnings could go to Stage 2 this afternoon, and Stage 3 by nightfall.

“We’ve been monitoring the weather this week and have been preparing for this March storm," said Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro. “Yesterday, our crews applied some brine throughout the county roads, which will make our job much easier today.”