A weekslong “snow drought” in Northern California's Sierra Nevada helped set the stage for Tuesday's deadly avalanche, after several feet of new snow fell on an earlier layer that had hardened, making it unstable and easily triggered, experts said.
The new snow did not have time to bond to the earlier layer before the avalanche near Lake Tahoe killed at least eight backcountry skiers, said Craig Clements, a meteorology professor at San Jose State University, who has conducted avalanche research. Six skiers survived and rescuers were still searching for another one who was still missing on Wednesday.
The group was on a three-day backcountry trek in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday morning when they were trapped by the avalanche as a winter storm pummeled the West Coast.
The dangers generally are highest in the first 24 to 48 hours after a very large snowfall, Clements said, and authorities had issued avalanche warnings.
Here's what to know.
When weather is dry and clear, as it had been in the Sierra Nevada since January, snow crystals change and can become angular or round over time, Clements said.
If heavy new snow falls on the crystals, the layers often can't bond and the new snow forms what is called a storm slab over a weaker layer.
“Because it's on a mountain, it will slide,” when it's triggered by any change in the tension above or below, sometimes naturally but also because of people traversing the area, Clements said.
Authorities have not said what triggered Tuesday's avalanche.
If there had been more consistent snowfall throughout the winter, different layers could have bonded more easily, Clements said. But even when a snow slab forms, the danger often only lasts a couple of days until the new snow stabilizes, he said.
Although climate change can lead to weather extremes that include both drought and heavier precipitation, it's difficult to say how and whether it will affect avalanches or where they occur, scientists say.
Clements said this week's avalanche is fairly typical for California's Sierra Nevada and he doesn't believe it can be linked to climate change.
Avalanches are a mechanism of how much snow falls on weak or stable layers, and this one was “a meteorological phenomenon, not a climate phenomenon,” he said.
About 3 feet to 6 feet of snow has fallen since Sunday, when the group started its trip. The area was also hit by subfreezing temperatures and gale force winds. The Sierra Avalanche Center said the threat of more avalanches remained Wednesday and left the snowpack unstable and unpredictable.
Crews found the bodies of eight backcountry skiers near California’s Lake Tahoe and were searching for one more following Tuesday's avalanche, which authorities say was the nation’s deadliest in nearly half a century.
Six from the guided tour were rescued six hours after the avalanche.
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said Wednesday that investigators would look into the decision to proceed with the trip despite the storm forecast.
The skiers traveled Sunday to remote huts at 7,600 feet (3,415 meters) in Tahoe National Forest, carrying their own food and supplies. At 6:49 that morning, the Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche watch for the area, indicating that large slides were likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.
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Snow covers an off-ramp along interstate 80 on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 near Soda Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Brooke Hess-Homeier)
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Brian Bennett finished what captain Sikandar Raza started as Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to head into the T20 World Cup Super Eights unbeaten on Thursday.
Zimbabwe topped a Group B including former champions Sri Lanka and Australia.
Zimbabwe will meet the West Indies in their Super Eights opener in Mumbai on Monday. Sri Lanka will host England in Pallekele on Saturday.
West Indies also completed the group stage undefeated after dismissing Italy for 123 and winning by 42 runs in Kolkata.
Ibrahim Zadran missed out on claiming Afghanistan's first men's T20 World Cup century, finishing 95 not out as Canada was beaten by 82 runs in Chennai. Both teams had already failed to advance.
Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka had already booked their Super Eights spots after both dominated Australia, and still entertained. Sri Lanka opted to bat first and notched 178-7 and Zimbabwe overhauled it with 182-4 and three balls to spare.
“I don't think anyone gave us a chance (of reaching the Super Eights),” captain Raza said. “To win everyone's hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in. If we can win two out of three games who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story.”
Zimbabwe was behind the chase for most of the game until Raza hit four sixes and two boundaries in 45 off 26 balls to catch up with the asking rate. When Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa fell to leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha in the 19th over, Sri Lanka supporters suddenly had new hope.
But Tony Munyonga hit a six to start the last over and Bennett's eighth boundary finished off Zimbabwe's third win over Sri Lanka in the last five months.
Opening batter Bennett anchored the chase and was unbeaten on 63 off 48. He still hasn't been dismissed in the World Cup after scoring 48 against Oman and 64 against Australia.
Sri Lanka's total was held up again by Pathum Nissanka, who backed up his unbeaten 100 against Australia with 62 off 41 including eight boundaries.
Pavan Rathnayake hit two sixes and three boundaries in a 25-ball 44 to help Sri Lanka to a competitive total.
“We need to be more confident in the field. I felt that is what we lacked today," Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said. “Hopefully we come with a better attitude the next time.”
Italy and the West Indies struggled on what appeared to be a good batting pitch at Eden Gardens.
West Indies captain Shai Hope starred with 75 off 46 balls, his second straight World Cup half-century, and the next best score was Ben Manenti's 26 for Italy.
West Indies defended a sub-par 165. Italy lost three wickets in the powerplay thanks to medium-pacer Matthew Forde, and pacer Shamar Joseph limited Italy in the middle and death overs with 4-30. Joseph also took four catches.
Hope kept the West Indies from floundering, opening the batting and hitting four sixes and six boundaries until he was bowled by Crishan Kalugamage in the 16th over.
In the Super Eights, the West Indies will face 2024 champion India, 2024 runner-up South Africa, and Zimbabwe, which knocked out Australia.
"We'll have to find ways to be more forceful when the crunch time comes,” Hope said. “We have batting depth but we need to be smart. Need to be clinical with strokeplay. Need to capitalize on deliveries. (We're) in good shape going into the Super Eights.”
Italy finished its maiden World Cup appearance with plaudits after stunning Nepal and losing to England narrowly, Scotland and the West Indies. Captain Harry Manenti said he was proud of their ability to stay in the fight.
“We haven't played the perfect game despite showing promise in moments,” Manenti said. “It's important for all associate nations to be funded and well looked after, which is tough. If we keep getting support from the ICC, if we get more cricket, we'll get more competitive. Lack of games have hurt us (but) the more we play the higher are the chances to close out games like this.”
Zadran said he wasn't disappointed to miss out on scoring Afghanistan’s first century in a men’s T20 World Cup.
Zadran's seventh boundary finished Afghanistan’s innings on 200-4 and stranded him on a T20 career-best 95 not out from 56 balls.
Dropped on 54, he still achieved Afghanistan's highest World Cup score, including five sixes.
“To be honest, it (the century) wasn't in my mind," Zadran said, "but we had a discussion before the game, in the circle. Rashid (Khan, captain) said we don't have a T20 World Cup hundred, do your best, you can get one.”
Canada was limited to 118-8, off-spinner Mohammad Nabi taking an outstanding 4-7 off four overs, his career best at age 41.
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Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi throws the ball after fielding during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Canada in Chennai, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka celebrates his fifty runs during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Italy's Ali Hasan, left, appeals successfully for the wicket of West Indies' Brandon King, right, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
Italy's Gian Piero Meade plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
West Indies' Shamar Joseph bowls a delivery during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
West Indies' captain Shai Hope plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
West Indies' captain Shai Hope hits a six during the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
West Indies' captain Shai Hope, left, flips the coin for toss as Italy's captain Wayne Madsen looks on before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
West Indies' captain Shai Hope right, shake hands with Italy's captain Wayne Madsen before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between West Indies and Italy in Kolkata, India, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
