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How a snow drought helped set the stage for deadly California avalanche

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How a snow drought helped set the stage for deadly California avalanche


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.

READ MORE: 8 backcountry skiers found dead and 1 still missing after California avalanche

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.

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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.

What made conditions so dangerous?

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.

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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.

Was climate change a factor?

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.

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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.

What’s happening now?

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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See How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Celebrated Easter in California With Their Children

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See How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Celebrated Easter in California With Their Children


While the royal family gathered in Windsor this morning to attend Easter Sunday services, the holiday looked quite different in Montecito, California for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

On Instagram, Meghan shared videos from their day, including feeding their chickens, gathering eggs, watching Archie and Lilibet race on an Easter egg hunt with their dogs following, Lilibet, in a pink dress, holding a large stuffed bunny toy while wearing bunny ears, and Archie working on decorating eggs. “Happy Easter!” she wrote in the caption . Watch the clips here:

In With Love, Meghan, Meghan spoke about collecting eggs from her chickens. “What’s really cool is with whatever’s going on in life, to be able to do something like this,” Meghan tells the camera about collecting eggs from her chickens. “It’s just fun. It’s fun for kids and for adults. But, if a morning starts like this [snaps], you think about your day differently.”

Harry and Meghan’s Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, offered a sweet glimpse into their Easter traditions in California. In the sixth episode, cameras capture the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with Meghan’s mom Doria, as they set up an Easter egg hunt for Archie in April 2021.

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Screenshot/Netflix

Meghan, pregnant with Lilibet, on Easter 2021.

prince harry meghan markle easter egg hunt netflix
Screenshot/Netflix

Harry places an egg underneath a Peter Rabbit character.

prince harry meghan markle easter egg hunt netflix
Screenshot/Netflix

The Sussexes setting up an Easter egg hunt for Archie in their backyard.

On ShopMy last year, Meghan shared her Easter essentials, which included children’s clothing picks from J.Crew, Boden, and Petite Plume, among other brands, and Easter hosting items such as children’s toys and home goods. Earlier this week, she was spotted shopping for Easter gifts at a local Montecito shop. “She was there for a while, talking to the staff and making selections,” a source told People at the time.

In addition, last month, her brand As Ever launched a limited-edition “Bloom Box” in collaboration with High Camp Supply, a San Francisco-based luxury florist. The box was meant to ship in time for Easter.

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Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.



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California Politics 360 Full Episode | $13M placed in bets on CA governor’s race

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California Politics 360 Full Episode | M placed in bets on CA governor’s race


Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done.

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California Politics 360 Full Episode | $13M placed in bets on CA governor’s race

Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done.

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California Politics 360 Full Episode | $13M placed in bets on CA governor’s race

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Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done.

Updated: 8:25 AM PDT Apr 5, 2026

Editorial Standards

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At least $13 million has been placed in bets on the California governor’s race. In a state that doesn’t allow online sports betting, why are people allowed to bet on politics? The two most popular betting and prediction sites – Kalshi & Polymarket – are facing a flurry of lawsuits. Last week, Washington filed a lawsuit against Kalshi. Last month, Arizona’s attorney general filed criminal charges against the company. This week, California Sen. Adam Schiff joined three other senators in proposing legislation to block insiders from betting. Gov. Newsom also made some moves on the state level, banning state employees or his appointees and their family members from making bets on these sites using state information. Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done. This year, California voters will decide who they want to be their next governor. Every week leading to the June primary, we will hear from one of the top 10 candidates running for the state’s highest position. This week, Ashley Zavala sat down with Republican Steve Hilton to get his thoughts on the major issues impacting Californians. New changes went into effect this week, impacting who is eligible for CalFresh. Ashley Zavala sits down with the Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association, Carlos Marquez III. We take a closer look at the responsibilities for California’s Insurance Commissioner ahead of the June primary.KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.

At least $13 million has been placed in bets on the California governor’s race. In a state that doesn’t allow online sports betting, why are people allowed to bet on politics?

The two most popular betting and prediction sites – Kalshi & Polymarket – are facing a flurry of lawsuits. Last week, Washington filed a lawsuit against Kalshi. Last month, Arizona’s attorney general filed criminal charges against the company.

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This week, California Sen. Adam Schiff joined three other senators in proposing legislation to block insiders from betting. Gov. Newsom also made some moves on the state level, banning state employees or his appointees and their family members from making bets on these sites using state information.

Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done.

This year, California voters will decide who they want to be their next governor. Every week leading to the June primary, we will hear from one of the top 10 candidates running for the state’s highest position. This week, Ashley Zavala sat down with Republican Steve Hilton to get his thoughts on the major issues impacting Californians.

New changes went into effect this week, impacting who is eligible for CalFresh. Ashley Zavala sits down with the Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association, Carlos Marquez III.

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We take a closer look at the responsibilities for California’s Insurance Commissioner ahead of the June primary.


KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.

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Loved ones search for missing 15-year-old Southern California girl 

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Loved ones search for missing 15-year-old Southern California girl 


Loved ones are searching for a Southern California girl who has been missing for more than six months.

Keylin Reyes-Moreno, 15, was reported missing on Sept. 22, 2025, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Reyes-Moreno was last seen in the Pacoima area.

She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has brown hair and dark brown eyes.

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Keylin Reyes-Moreno, 15, was last seen in Pacoima on Sept. 22, 2025. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

She may have been heading to the Los Angeles area when she disappeared.

Her family did not mention any health or mental issues that would’ve contributed to her disappearance. They have not heard from her since and are very concerned for her well-being.

Anyone who may know Keylin Reyes-Moreno’s whereabouts or has information on the case is asked to call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 or the Los Angeles Police Department at 877-275-5273.



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