Front page, Jan 27 Victorville, CA Press Dispatch:

Avalanches typically follow heavy snowfall

"...anytime there is just too much snow"--National Weather Service

When I showed it to Laverne, who is much smarter than I, she had no reaction whatever, leaving me to wonder whether I might possess some sort of offbeat discernment

I would have thought they often follow changes in the weather. When snow falls at first it is often 'sticky' and lies where it falls. Surely avalanches happen when something disturbs the fallen snow, such as a thaw, or strong winds, or even people interfering?

As a matter of fzct human activity is sometimes blamed, while I suppose an earth tremor might do it also. However, analyzing the phenomenon itself somewhat dampens the spirit of the thread

...like when one feels compelled to explain a joke