The National Weather Service reported an avalanche warning at 3:01 p.m. on Wednesday in effect until Thursday, Mar. 13 at 3:15 p.m. for the Greater Lake Tahoe Area.

The said, “A period of HIGH avalanche danger and likely a natural avalanche cycle is expected in the backcountry Wednesday evening into early Thursday morning.”

“Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected in the mountains due to 2 to 3 feet of rapidly accumulating snowfall along with gale force winds blowing and drifting snow. Natural avalanches are likely. Human-triggered avalanches large enough to bury or injure people are very likely,” the NWS said.

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How to stay safe according to the NWS

Know the three factors required for an avalanche:

Slope: Avalanche generally occur on slopes steeper than 30 degrees Snowpack: Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and “whumpfing” are signs of unstable snow Trigger: Sometimes it doesn’t take much to tip the balance; people, new snow, and wind are common triggers