These observations document past conditions at a small and variable scale. They are not to be confused with an avalanche forecast. They come from a variety of sources. We can only vouch for the quality of those produced by the SAC forecasters and professional observers.
Date and time of observation or avalanche occurrence Location Media Observation made by
02/21/2019 - 07:30

Snowpack Observation
Jake’s Peak

West Shore Area
Surface hoar Graupel Public
02/20/2019 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Silver Peak

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Newly fallen graupel. Wind features pointing both directions with cornices in the background. Our skin track refilled within an hour from a combination of new snow and light wind loading. New snow had barely covered the previously scoured surfaces leaving variable dust on crust conditions in some exposed areas. Settlement cracks indicating consolidation in the recent snow. Forecaster
02/20/2019 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Polaris Point

Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Periodic snow showers S1 to S5. S5 in this photo at 11:15 am. Forecaster
02/20/2019 - 08:00

Snowpack Observation
Ward Canyon driveway all the way up to top of Stanford Rock area.

Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Public
02/19/2019 - 14:00

Snowpack Observation
Waterhouse Peak

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Surface hoar Cracked settlement cone Satstrugi Public
02/19/2019 - 13:45

Snowpack Observation
Trimmer Peak

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Public
02/19/2019 - 13:30

Snowpack Observation
Donner Summit

Donner Summit Area
Skier triggered shooting crack on a low angle W aspect Skier cracking on a low angle slope wind-loaded by NE winds and previously undercut by the skin track. Variable wind scoured surfaces with exposed rain crust in some areas. Large surface hoar that was laying flat on many sheltered N-NE-E aspects. Forecaster
02/19/2019 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Deep Creek

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Very small loose dry on NE aspect, 46 degree slope angle, below treeline terrain. Pockets of upright surface hoar on shaded northerly aspects. Skinning through this S aspect wind slab produced no cracking. Minor wind scouring and blowing snow on the summit of Deep Creek Peak. Skin track refill after about 5 min on top of Deep Creek Peak. Wind scouring down to exposed rain crust near the ridgetop. Forecaster
02/19/2019 - 11:15

Snowpack Observation
North shoulder of Judah

Donner Summit Area
Shooting crack in a small windslab Guide

Alpenglow Expeditio
02/19/2019 - 10:15

Snowpack Observation
Flagpole Peak

Echo Summit Area
Sastrugi near ridgeline on Flagpole. Signs of settlement around trees Interesting evidence of previous avalanche activity. Interesting evidence of previous avalanche activity. The areas that slid were still soft, but less soft than areas that had not slid previously. Professional Observer
02/18/2019 - 15:15

Snowpack Observation
Schallenberger Ridge

Donner Summit Area
surface hoar Public
02/18/2019 - 14:00

Snowpack Observation
Herlan / Bear Scratch

East Shore Area
heavy wind, sastrugi, wind loading near summit pockets of wind loading, sastrugi, wind slabs Public
02/18/2019 - 13:30

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Cornice drop on a test slope that did not trigger any slab instabilities but did cause a sluff. Rain crust exposed by scouring on the ridge. Settlement cone on a tree in below treeline terrain. Deep crack behind a cornice that has pulled away from the ridge. ECTN on a sheltered slope. The rain crust / rain layer has started to refreeze but still had some wet snow at the bottom of the layer. Forecaster
02/18/2019 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Indian Valley

Ebbetts Pass Area
Professional Observer
02/18/2019 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Johnson Canyon

Donner Summit Area
Public

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