10 people missing in Tahoe avalanche, sheriff's officials say
Castle Peak avalanche in Truckee. Photo courtesy of Nevada County Sheriff's Office.
TRUCKEE, Calif. - Search and rescue teams with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office were responding to an avalanche on Tuesday with 10 people unaccounted for, off Interstate 80 near Donner Summit and Truckee.
What we know:
The sheriff's office said that the report came in at about 11:30 a.m., in the Castle Peak area, with a group of 16 people initially in danger.
"At least six of the skiers have survived the avalanche and remain at the avalanche site, awaiting rescue, with the remaining ten unaccounted for," sheriff's officials shared on Facebook in an update on the situation late Tuesday afternoon. Officials said the group was made up of four ski guides with 12 clients.
Rescue efforts underway
The sheriff's office said that a large multipronged effort was underway in response to this emergency, from ski rescue crews to a snowcat team to maneuver through the heavy snow.
Dozens of first responders were also on scene, sheriff's officials said, stressing the perilous conditions that persisted in the area.
"Rescue efforts remain in progress now with 46 emergency first responders. Weather conditions remain highly dangerous," officials said.
Castle Peak avalanche in Truckee. Photo courtesy of Nevada County Sheriff's Office.
Big picture view:
The region is under an avalanche warning as the Sierra gets pummeled by a powerful storm.
SEE ALSO: Bay Area storm timeline: Coldest system of the season sweeps through
The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab said the area was being hit with the worst winter conditions in three years, with more than 5 feet of snow expected in a matter of days.
Dig deeper:
Last month, an avalanche in the same area of Truckee led to the death of a man on a snowmobile. He was found buried under snow.
The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for today through Wednesday morning at 4 a.m.
The non-profit, which works in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, rated the danger at a 4, which is high, out of a scale of 5.
On its website, experts warned, "Large avalanches may run through treed areas. If attempting travel today in non-avalanche terrain, be certain that there are no steeper slopes connected to the terrain you are traveling, either above or to the side."
Snowmobiler killed in Truckee avalanche on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office confirmed a snowmobiler, who was initially reported missing, was found buried under snow minutes later, but did not survive a Truckee avalanche on Monday.