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
02/09/2023 - 14:30

Snowpack Observation
Frog Lake Cliffs

Donner Summit Area
Guide

Alpenglow Expeditio
02/09/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Calm clear day on Trimmer Peak

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Breakable melt freeze crust on solar aspects in below tree line terrain. 25cms of buried near surface facets on NW aspect @ 7800'. Non-compressible NSF below recent snow in pit @ 7800. Wind effected snow in open areas in near tree line terrain. 330cm of snow at 9200'. Unreactive buried surface hoar at 9200' 25cm down. Professional Observer
02/09/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Horse Meadow

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Old wind rolls in the trees, with a new round of surface hoar on top Rollerball activity at 9,400ft Prying on ECT columns left only partly planar surfaces Professional Observer
02/09/2023 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Yuba Pass

Yuba Pass Area
Jan 29 buried surface hoar layer.  Unreactive at this location. Jan 29 buried SH layer.  1 to 2.5cm in size. Location of ECT's Forecaster
02/08/2023 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
The Sisters

Carson Pass Area
Public
02/08/2023 - 11:01

Snowpack Observation
Silver Peak

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Guide

Tahoe Mountain Scho
02/08/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Silver Peak

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Signs of wind effect on the snow surface were widespread near treeline and above treeline. Old, very shallow wind slab avalanche in NE aspect terrain near treeline. 2 to 3 inches of surface wet snow with rollerballs and small pinwheels on SE aspect terrain around 7,800'. Thin sun crust in areas of direct sun exposure at 8,200'. Forecaster
02/08/2023 - 10:47

Snowpack Observation
Unreactive buried surface hoar on Elephant's Hump

Carson Pass Area
Compression tests showing initiation on buried surface hoar @ 30cm down. ECTN results on buried surface hoar. Wet snow on solar aspects just before noon. Large wind waves on the face of Elephant's back from Monday's wind event. Professional Observer
02/08/2023 - 10:30

Snowpack Observation
Deer Park

Five Lakes Area
Educator

Alpenglow Expeditio
02/08/2023 - 07:00

Snowpack Observation
Above heart chute

Donner Summit Area
Public
02/07/2023 - 13:30

Snowpack Observation
Shirley Canyon

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Guide

Alpenglow Expeditio
02/07/2023 - 13:20

Snowpack Observation
South of Red Lake

Carson Pass Area
Public
02/07/2023 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Hidden Peak

West Shore Area
Investigating a reported slab avalanche from 2 days ago on Sunday.  Storm slab failed on NSF below the Sunday storm snow. Small cracking in some of the recent wind features. Previous wind scouring in exposed NTL areas. Wet surface snow with roller balls on E aspects by late morning.  Increased cloud cover by early afternoon Forecaster
02/06/2023 - 13:00

Avalanche Observation
Peak 7720

Donner Summit Area
Potential small natural avalanche crown on small rollover in open BTL terrain.  Did not investigate area or crown. ECTP-21 on buried surface hoar layer. 7200' on N aspect:  Rain crust above thumb, index finger pointing to reactive buried surface hoar. Small wind feature failing 1' deep on new snow/old snow interface. Just over 1' of new storm snow on top of a rain crust.  Below RC was a F hard layer of buried surface hoar and near surface facets. Guide

Tahoe Mountain Scho
02/06/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Blue Lakes

Carson Pass Area
Plumes of wind blown snow seen from many big terrain features in the afternoon ECTs took hard taps but did propagate on the facets The only recent slab avalanche we saw today, on an E aspect of The Nipple Professional Observer

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