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
03/06/2020 - 15:00

Snowpack Observation
Powderhouse

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Educator

Lake Tahoe Community College - Wilderness Educati
03/06/2020 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Rubicon Peak

West Shore Area
Transitional soft snow on east aspects below peak. Corn snow lower on peak around 8000'. Forecaster
03/06/2020 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Tamarack Peak

Mount Rose Area
low tide at trailhead N facing 9500’ HS 150 ECTN 18 130cm ECTN 28 120 cm on softer more angular layers sun affected, wind scoured, wind loaded wind scoured hourglass sun affected proletariat with wave clouds Public
03/06/2020 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Red Lake Peak

Carson Pass Area
A quick pit with hand hardness on a north aspect at 8800 feet. Ridges were windy and skies were mostly blue over Red Lake Peak. To the east huge lenticular clouds loomed. Sunny slopes from 8-9500 feet had minimal ski penetration. Stepping off my split board on the sunny side of the ridge there were areas with a weaker surface and 35 cm boot penetration. Steeper sunny east facing terrain was decent corn around 11am. Professional Observer
03/05/2020 - 10:45

Snowpack Observation
Mt. Judah

Donner Summit Area
Melt freeze crust with some areas of transitional soft snow on east aspects. Transitional previous storm snow on east aspects in wind protected areas. Melting out rocks with running water on the south side of Judah. Forecaster
03/04/2020 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Incline Peak/Slab Cliffs

Mount Rose Area
N aspect pit with no signs of instability at old/new interface. Ski cut on S aspect test slope around 9,500' at 12:30pm producing minor loose wet. Ski cut on another upper elevation S aspect around 12:30pm producing loose wet.. Forecaster
03/03/2020 - 14:30

Snowpack Observation
Castle Peak

Donner Summit Area
Castle Pass and Castle Peak South face of Castle Peak with areas of newer wind-deposited snow. Ski pole penetration on NW-facing slope. Public
03/03/2020 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Rubicon peak

West Shore Area
Warm and wet midday turns on east aspects. View towards Desolation Wilderness. Forecaster
03/03/2020 - 08:15

Snowpack Observation
Mount Tallac

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Public
03/03/2020 - 08:00

Snowpack Observation
Mt. Rose

Mount Rose Area
Open area at lower elevations that looked like may have experienced rain on snow or rapid surface melt Thick, wind affected slab that broke around my bomb hole, although no significant propagation (at least on this slope) Public
03/02/2020 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Silver Peak

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Upper elevation wind scouring near peak. Wind scouring on the ridge. Low elevation wind features. Slow moving loose dry avalanche on wind protected northerly terrain. Forecaster
03/02/2020 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Relay Peak

Mount Rose Area
Shooting crack in wind loaded area Public
03/02/2020 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Relay Ridge

Mount Rose Area
NE winds approaching gale force Skin track refill in less than 30 minutes Public
03/02/2020 - 09:00

Snowpack Observation
Echo Lake

Echo Summit Area
A small natural wind slab on a south facing feature. One ECTN and then multiple ECTPs where the fresh snow was slightly deeper. Looking at the still stout crust. The weak snow above was the active weak layer in these tests. Looking at the crust weak layers with the new snow above. PST 18/100 END targeting the weak snow just above the crust. Professional Observer
03/01/2020 - 15:00

Snowpack Observation
Fire Plug

Mount Rose Area
minor cracking that did not exceed ski length low tide stump hazards lots of snow snakes Public

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