Sierra Avalanche Center | Backcountry Avalanche, Snow, and Weather Information for the greater Lake Tahoe area

The last avalanche advisory for the 2017/2018 season will be published on April 22nd. Thank you to all who have supported the avalanche center through volunteer hours, field observations, and financial support.

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Most Current Avalanche Advisory:

Friday, April 20th, 2018

Recent Observations:

04/19/2018 - 11:00

Increasing cloud cover and the approaching storm.

Breakable crust was widespread on E-NE-N aspects at all elevations

Graupel layer at the base of the recent snow.

Rubicon Peak

04/18/2018 - 10:30

Loose wet sluff triggered by a ski cut on a steep ENE aspect at 9000 ft.

Slab Cliffs

04/17/2018 - 12:30

Minimal results kicking on a below tree line test slope.

Steep below tree line features displayed loose dry slide characteristics in response to skier activity.

Small wind slab on a convex roll in near tree line terrain.

Carson Pass south near Elephant's Back

04/16/2018 - 12:30

Small wind slab triggered by large cornice drop on a ENE facing test slope at 8040 ft. See video.

Small 1 to 4 inch slab triggered on an E facing test slope @ 8040 ft. that had just received a short period of sun-exposure

The other side of the small slab triggered on the E facing test slope.

New snow and some wind-loading filling in the skin track @ 8160 ft.

About 30 cm (1 ft) of new snow resting on top of a moist crust on top of wet snow in a meadow at 7500 ft.

20180416 Andesite Peak, CA

20180416 Andesite Peak, CA

Andesite Peak

04/16/2018 - 11:00

Still adequate snow coverage for travel at lower elevations but dry patches are growing.

Firm surface snow conditions around 9000 feet on north facing slopes at 11:30am.

Powderhouse Peak

04/15/2018 - 11:00

Andesite Peak

04/15/2018 - 09:30

Announcements and News:

Last advisory of the 2017/2018 season.

The last avalanche advisory for the 2017/2018 season will be published on April 22nd. Thank you to all who have supported the avalanche center through volunteer hours, field observations, and financial support.

SAC Ski and Ride Days Program

We have sold out of our donated lift tickets from our Summit Sponsor ski resorts! Big thanks to Epic Promise, which includes Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood. Also, a huge thanks to the smaller, but mighty ski areas...

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