Avalanche is quite the well-suited term for it. :P
It obscures your vision, it's seemingly endless, there's a lot of noise, you can't tell apart individual components anymore and any signs of vitality are quickly hidden beneath a lifeless, entropic veil and, if you're not careful, it may even bury you alive beneath bundles (of snow) [or perhaps in backlog?]. ^.^

Actually, in the end, an avalanche is still easier to process at a glance and looks prettier once it's over, so I think Steam actually loses to a natural disaster in terms of benefits over detriments.. :S ..well, y'know, until you factor in Steam allowing you to play games. Attempting to do that with an avalanche, well- not especially advised, I'd say. :P

View attached image.