The last avalanche forecast for the 2023-2024 season posted on April 21st. Thank you to all who contributed to the avalanche center this season through observations, volunteer time, and/or financial contributions.

Small wind slab avalanche

Location Name: Tragedy springs Region: Carson Pass Area Observation Date & Time: Sunday, January 31, 2021 - 11:45
Location: 38.615915, -120.108609 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Collapsing / whumpfing noises Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Shooting Cracks Rapid or Prolonged Warming Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Strong Sunshine Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Warm Temperatures Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Obvious Slide Path Trigger Points Terrain Matches the Advisory

Location Name:

Tragedy springs

Region:

Carson Pass Area

Observation Date & Time:

Sunday, January 31, 2021 - 11:45

Location:

38.615915, -120.108609

See map: CalTopo

Is this an Avalanche Observation?:

Yes

Conditions Alerts:

Avalanche Activity
Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Collapsing / whumpfing noises
Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Shooting Cracks
Rapid or Prolonged Warming
Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Strong Sunshine
Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Warm Temperatures
Recent Loading
Recent Loading›Blowing Snow

Terrain Alerts:

Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees

Obvious Slide Path

Trigger Points

Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

A small wind lab avalanche was intentionally triggered on a north facing test slope at about 8000 ft with recent wind loading around 11:45am. Several extended column tests around 2:45pm showed no propagation on similar wind loaded aspects and elevations. Solar warming was observed throughout the day. Wind was also continuing to transport snow throughout the day, though it decreased from AM to PM.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos:

Avi

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Near Treeline

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Wind Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Storm Snow

Trigger

Trigger:

Snowmobiler

Trigger Modifier:

Intentionally Triggered

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

35degrees

Aspect:

North

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R2 Small

Crown Height:

1 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

25ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

45ft.

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Small wind slab avalanche

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Avi

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Small wind slab avalanche

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Avi

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