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
02/21/2023 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Peak 7932'

Yuba Pass Area
Increasing clouds through the morning with snow starting in the early afternoon. Thin breakable crusts on low angle Northerly terrain. Previous buried graupel layer found unreactive in this area. Forecaster
04/03/2020 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Firm icy surfaces were widespread, especially on ridges and north facing slopes Buried surface hoar layer. Snowpit tests and general observations indicated that it had gained strength. Forecaster
04/11/2022 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Poor bonding between the new snow and the icy crusts below it. Skier triggered shooting cracks on a wind-loaded test slope. Ripples in the snow surface. My 3 in deep skin track filled in in about 1.5 hours. The new snow barely covers obstacles on S-SW aspects. Forecaster
04/19/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
A weak sun crust had formed on the surface in sun-exposed areas. Ski kicks on wind-loaded test slopes did not produce wind slab failures only small sluffs of new snow. Large cornices still exist along Lincoln Ridge. Debris from old cornice collapses is visible on the slope below. The wind had exposed firm melt-freeze crusts on the ridges. Forecaster
01/04/2022 - 05:00

Avalanche Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Natural wind slab avalanche triggered by cornice collapse Large cornices forming along Lincoln Ridge Forecaster
01/04/2016 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Forecaster
01/21/2014 - 11:35

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Forecaster
02/05/2022 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Surface hoar on an open N facing slope near 7200 ft. Breakable crusts on a NE facing slope. Snowpit in which we were focused on collecting information about he weak snow near the surface. ECTN test results. Wind hammered snow surfaces on the ridge. Forecaster
02/28/2021 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
1-2 inches of soft wet snow on top of a shallow but supportable base on a low elevations SW facing slope. Exposed crusts and wind scoured features along the top of Lincoln Ridge Snowmobiles seemed to break through the upper crust and into some softer snow on northerly aspects Forecaster
04/14/2020 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Strong and thick mf crust on the surface with some wet snow below on top of the buried surface hoar layer. Previous loose wet roller balls and cornice collapses. Forecaster
12/02/2021 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Move snow cover at 7,600' than we have seen in the rest of the forecast area. Facets from the Nov 9 layer starting to show striations. Surface hoar in excess of 1 cm that will likely be destroyed before burial. Forecaster
02/21/2021 - 10:30

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Wind scoured areas with exposed rain crust on the ridge. Surface hoar in open sheltered areas in the morning. Ice coated trees from the recent freezing rain event. Small signs of settlement around some trees. Looking at how the snow is changing around the recent rain crusts Forecaster
12/29/2009 - 10:50

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Forecaster
12/30/2011 - 10:30

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Forecaster
01/02/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
ECTN on a low elevation N facing slope. The rain layer is visible under about 2 ft of new snow. We found some small surface hoar in isolated areas. Settlement cones around around trees indicated settlement and consolidation in the storm snow. Settlement cones around around trees indicated settlement and consolidation in the storm snow. Areas typically wind loaded by SW winds had been scoured by NE winds. As the winds switched back to the SW this afternoon they started to get wind-loaded again. Lenticular clouds and more consistent cloud cover moving into the area ahead of the next storm. Evidence of wind scouring by NE winds. Areas typically wind loaded by SW winds had been scoured by NE winds. As the winds switched back to the SW this afternoon they started to get wind-loaded again. Forecaster

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