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

Hot and windy at Blue Lakes

Location Name: Blue Lakes Region: Carson Pass Area Observation Date & Time: Monday, April 10, 2023 - 16:00
Location: 38.680825, -119.929064 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: Yes Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Rapid or Prolonged Warming Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Rollerballs / Pinwheels Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Strong Sunshine Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Warm Temperatures

Observation made by: Professional Observer

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Hot and windy afternoon at Blue Lakes. Snow surfaces were moist to very wet, with ski and track penetration of several inches, and boot penetration up to shin deep. Old tracks were soft and didn't create jarring conditions when crossing them.

I didn't see any wet loose activity around Blue Lakes, but there were two D2 natural avalanches in Woodfords Canyon that looked very recent. The last time I drove Woodfords Canyon on Saturday, the avalanches hadn't occurred yet.

Ski and track penetration were a few inches into wet surface snow, with deeper boot penetration

I was surprised not to see any wet loose activity. Zoom in to see highmarking tracks that didn't trigger anything

Large cornices in the area

Boarder Bowl receiving strong sunshine but no avalanche activity

A wet loose avalanche above the Crystal Springs campground. It looks like at least two avalanches that converged

Another avalanche in Woodfords Canyon. The debris is on top of an older debris pile

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Wet Loose

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Old Snow

Additional number of similar avalanches:

Trigger

Trigger:

Natural

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

40degrees

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

below-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R3 Medium

Sponsors:

This website is owned and maintained by the non-profit arm of the Sierra Avalanche Center. Some of the content is updated by the USDA avalanche forecasters including the forecasts and some observational data. The USDA is not responsible for any advertising, fund-raising events/information, or sponsorship information, or other content not related to the forecasts and the data pertaining to the forecasts.

Forecast Links

Subscriptions

Forecast Tutorials

Observations

Incidents

Submit Observations

Subscriptions

Remote Weather Stations

National Weather Service

Model Forecasts

Local Resources

The SAC Daily Flow

Forecast Tutorials

Other Resources

Hot and windy at Blue Lakes

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Sponsors:

Forecast Links

Subscriptions

Forecast Tutorials

Observations

Incidents

Submit Observations

Subscriptions

Remote Weather Stations

National Weather Service

Model Forecasts

Local Resources

The SAC Daily Flow

Forecast Tutorials

Other Resources

Hot and windy at Blue Lakes

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Search form

Follow Us

Sponsors: