Major avalanches are expected Tuesday night and at least until early Wednesday morning in rural areas. Several storms are hitting California with intense rainfall and heavy snow accumulation in the highlands. The Lake Tahoe area, near the avalanche site, recorded 60 to 90 cm of new snow in the last 36 hours, and it was still falling at a rate of 50 to 100 cm per hour, Brandon Schwartz, director of the Sierra Avalanche Center, which makes forecasts for the sector, explained to ABC. Authorities from other counties have joined the search for the missing persons. Authorities reported on Tuesday that ten skiers are missing after an avalanche in northern California, western United States. Rescue operations are underway in dangerous conditions due to a storm hitting that area of the state. According to the Nevada County Sheriff's Department, the avalanche was reported at noon on Tuesday in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada. The skiers were part of a group of 16 people, including four guides, that was affected by the avalanche. Six people survived and are awaiting rescue at the avalanche site, while ten remain missing, according to an official statement. Rescue operations continue with 46 emergency teams. However, weather conditions remain very dangerous, so the six skipers with whom contact is being maintained have been advised to take shelter. Before the incident, the Sierra Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche alert for Tuesday that extends until tomorrow morning. «There is a high danger of avalanches in rural areas».
