Avalanche in California

Events

56

Deaths

30

Injuries

29

Damage

$910,000

• Avalanche and Heavy Snow in California, February 15 to 18, 20269 deaths · 5 eventsThe first in a series of strong winter storms impacted the eastern Sierra and northeast CA from the 16th to 17th. In this two day period, upwards of 2 to 4 feet of snow fell, and was accompanied by winds upwards of 80-100 mph.
• Tornado and Flash Flooding in California, January 23 to 25, 20083 deaths · 3 injured · EF0 · 11 eventsA very powerful winter storm brough significant weather to Central and Southern California. This storm produced several inches of rainfall across the area.
• Winter Storm and Avalanche in California, December 20 to 24, 20122 deaths · 7 eventsA series of pacific storms tracked across Northern California Thursday through the weekend bringing periods of moderate to heavy snow in the mountains and gusty winds. Low snow levels brought snow as low as 500 ft before snow levels rose to 3000 to 4500 ft by the weekend.
• Avalanche in California, April 26, 20112 deaths · 1 eventTwo skiers were killed in an avalanche just east of the Sierra crest.
• Flash Flood and Winter Storm in California, March 1 to 2, 20231 death · 1 injured · $933,000 · 22 eventsAfter one powerful storm struck Southern California in late February, a second storm arrived at the end of February and into early March.
• Blizzard and Avalanche in California, March 1 to 3, 20181 death · 11 injured · 16 eventsA strong upper level low over the northeast Pacific on February 28th moved southeast, reaching southern Oregon/northern California on the 1st of March. This system brought high winds and snowfall to the Sierra Nevada and western Nevada through the 3rd.
• Avalanche and Heavy Snow in California, January 16 to 17, 20201 death · 2 injured · 101 kt wind · 31 eventsA 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.
• Avalanche and Heavy Snow in California, March 2 to 4, 20091 death · $70,000 · 5 eventsA powerful winter storm moved through the northern and central Sierra Nevada and western Nevada.
• Avalanche and Dense Fog in California, January 14 to 16, 20221 death · $30,000 · 9 eventsDespite the presence of a low pressure center being situated of the Southern California coast providing for some high clouds during much of the period, persistent dense fog impacted portions of the central San Joaquin Valley between Merced and Madera with the dense fog being…
• Avalanche in California, February 6, 19991 death · 3 injured · 1 eventFour individuals were buried while sledding outside their lakeside cabin near the Sugar Bowl ski resort. Three of the individuals were able to dig themselves out and only sustained minor injuries. The fourth died of cardiac arrest after being trapped in the snow for six hours.
• Avalanche in California, July 2, 20231 death · 2 injured · 1 eventAn avalanche in the Sierra Nevada killed one hiker and injured two.
• Debris Flow and Avalanche in California, December 10, 20161 death · 1 injured · $2,000 · 2 eventsHeavy rain and wet high elevation snow brought impacts to the Lake Tahoe area on the 10th.
• Avalanche in California, February 1, 20061 death · 1 injured · 1 eventThree skiers were caught in a slab avalanche while crossing an open area on their way to Mt. Walt west of Twin Lakes. According to a newspaper report, all three were experienced skiers and all of them carried avalanche beacons.
• Blizzard and Avalanche in California, January 9 to 12, 20171 death · 52 kt wind · 7 eventsStrong low pressure over the northeast Pacific on the 9th moved southeast slowly, reaching northern California on the 12th. This brought exceptional snowfall and a period of blizzard conditions to the Sierra with considerable impacts.
• Avalanche and Heavy Snow in California, December 24 to 25, 20081 death · 5 eventsA winter storm brought over two feet of snow to parts of the Sierra Nevada and a rare white Christmas to much of western Nevada.
• Avalanche and Flood in California, December 23 to 26, 20251 death · $1,000 · 5 eventsLiquid totals reached 3-6 across the Eastern Sierra, Tahoe Basin , and Northeast California from the series of storms.
• Avalanche and Heavy Snow in California, January 3 to 5, 20261 death · 5 eventsA strong winter storm impacted the region from the 3rd to the 5th of January. This produced between 1 to 2 feet of snow in the Tahoe Basin with 2 to 4 feet for the higher elevations.
• Winter Storm and Avalanche in California, December 21 to 24, 20121 death · 4 eventsStrong, cold low pressure remained over the northeast Pacific from the 21st through early on the 24th bringing heavy snow to eastern California.
• Avalanche in California, March 1, 20121 death · 1 eventSeveral days of snow and wind created dangerous avalanche conditions due to the formation of wind slabs on the downwind slopes of ridges around Lake Tahoe. A skier in the backcountry near Alpine Meadows triggered an avalanche.
• Avalanche in California, November 10, 20151 death · 1 eventOne man was killed by an avalanche in a remote area of the Sierra just east of the crest. The exact date is unknown.
• Avalanche in California, January 14, 20161 death · 1 eventAvalanche danger was rated as considerable by the Sierra Avalanche Center on the 14th when a skier went missing. Days of inclement weather around the 14th and high avalanche danger caused the search to be halted on the 19th.
• Avalanche in California, February 3, 20211 death · 1 eventTwo skiers skiing in the backcountry near Etna Summit in Siskiyou county were swept away by an avalanches at about 2 PM PST on 02/03/21. One of the skiers was able to dig himself out. He was able to dig the other skier out and tried life-saving efforts that ultimately failed.
• Avalanche in California, June 14, 20231 death · 1 eventAn avalanche in Inyo County killed one skier.
• Avalanche and Flood in California, March 9 to 14, 2023$3.0 million · 3 eventsYet another atmospheric river brought heavy rain and snow to the Sierra Nevada and the Owens Valley on the 9th and 10th. Flooding persisted for several days after.
• Avalanche and High Wind in California, March 13 to 14, 2023$2.0 million · 3 eventsFlooding and debris flow as well as generally unsettled weather continues.

Avalanche everywhereEvery kind of event in California

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.