Climate-driven snow drought set stage for deadly California avalanche, experts say
The Guardian World
by Guardian staff and agencyFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A tragic avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada mountains has claimed eight lives, with six survivors rescued and one still missing. Experts link this disaster to a prolonged snow drought, driven by climate change, which created unstable snow conditions conducive to avalanches. This incident underscores the growing risks posed by global warming on winter environments.
The western United States has experienced an extended period of snow drought, exacerbated by rising temperatures. This lack of snow,
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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/19/2026