Las Vegas Sun

December 5, 2009

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More snow in Sierra; avalanche warnings in effect

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000 | 11:56 a.m.

As much as 8 inches fell Tuesday night at the higher elevations of the mountains and another 2 to 4 inches was expected late today. That's on top of nearly 2 feet that fell on parts of the Sierra over the weekend.

Chain controls were in effect early today on the Mount Rose Highway from Reno to Lake Tahoe as well as on State Highway 88 in California.

The U.S. Forest Service is warning people not to travel in the back country along the east side of the Sierra because of possible avalanches.

An avalanche warning was in effect from the Yuba Pass (Highway 49) to the Sonora Pass (Highway 108).

The Forest Service says high-moisture storms have resulted in a top-heavy, unstable snowpack. That means avalanches are likely on steep slopes and in gullies.

A high avalanche hazard exists above 7,500 and considerable hazard below.

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