9 skiers still missing after Sierra Nevada avalanche amid extreme weather conditions

NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – First responders are searching for nine skiers who are missing after a group of 15 people were caught in an avalanche Tuesday morning on Castle Peak in the Truckee, California area of the Sierra Nevada.

Six people from the party were rescued Tuesday night and two were taken to a hospital, the Nevada County Sheriff's Office said.

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The Sheriff's Office noted that it was initially believed that 16 people went on the trip, but that was later revised to 15.

Officials said the avalanche happened around 11:30 a.m. local time.

Interstate 80 remains closed at the summit of Castle Peak due to a winter storm dumping feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Heavy snow and high winds created periods of whiteout travel conditions and hampered the search Tuesday, with winter storm conditions expected to continue through much of the week.

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"Widespread areas of unstable snow and numerous avalanches are expected today," the Sierra Avalanche Center said. "Avalanches could be triggered from very low on the slope in some areas. Avalanches from above could travel down through treed terrain, often thought of as ‘safe’ during storms."

Travel in the avalanche area is not advised during such extreme conditions. The Sierra Avalanche Center said if travel can't be avoided, use extreme caution and prepare for low visibility around the mountains.

An avalanche warning remains in effect through 5:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, and the Sierra Avalanche Center said large avalanches are expected to occur across back country terrain.

The sheriff's office said the search is ongoing as weather conditions permit.

SNOWMOBILER DIES FOLLOWING AVALANCHE IN CALIFORNIA

An avalanche in the region in early January left a snowmobile trapped in nearby Truckee. A search and rescue mission uncovered the snowmobile buried in snow, but he didn't survive.

This is a developing story. Check back for new updates.