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
01/29/2023 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		Charity Valley
Carson Pass Area 		Old snow under the new was still quite soft and even with only 4-6" of new snow the riding was excellent Buried surface hoar An ECT with partial propagation, just lacking more of a slab Professional Observer
01/29/2023 - 13:15
Avalanche Observation 		Southeast of Webber Lake
Little Truckee Summit Areas 		Public
01/29/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Surface hoar buried under 10 to 12 inches of cold, soft, and light wind-blown snow near Lincoln Ridge. Buried surface hoar was easy to identify in hand pits. Ski kicks triggered some cracking in wind-blown areas and in sheltered areas where buried surface hoar existed. Small cornices built by NE winds on W and SW aspects. Small slab failure on a steep test slope. Loose dry sluff of new snow on top of surface hoar. Forecaster
01/28/2023 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Near Webber lake
Little Truckee Summit Areas 		Wind hammered surfaces in open terrain Variable conditions Soft snow in protected areas Public
01/28/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Powderhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Public
01/28/2023 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Large SH in areas adjacent to the FS 12 Rd. Large SH in areas adjacent to the FS 12 Rd. Knocked down and slightly melted SH along the ridgetop near 7,600'. NE aspect avalanche terrain near 7,600' with widespread knocked over, slightly melted 8 to 10 mm SH. 8 to 10 mm SH knocked over, no longer upright in NE aspect avalanche terrain near 7,600'. Forecaster
01/27/2023 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Trimmer Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Moist near surface facets at 8,400' on shaded N aspect terrain. Forecaster
01/27/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Winnemucca Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Note the contrast between steep slopes with a rough texture and steep slopes that are smooth Rough snow in the foreground and smooth, firm snow in the background Where I broke through the sastrugi, I checked under the firm snow to find small facets underneath Small, angular, and weak facets under the wind packed snow Professional Observer
01/27/2023 - 09:30
Snowpack Observation 		Maggies Peak
West Shore Area 		Public
01/26/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		8 to 9 mm surface hoar across NE aspect near treeline avalanche terrain. 8 to 9 mm SH at the spot of photo 1 looking across avalanche terrain. Some of the largest surface hoar we encountered today at 20-25mm. Forecaster
01/26/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Chickadee Ridge
Mount Rose Area 		Wind carved snow in near treeline terrain on Price Peak. Wind affected snow surfaces were widespread on Chickadee Ridge. Wind scouring and sculpting near the top of Chickadee Ridge Forecaster
01/26/2023 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		the ridge on the south of crater lake, showing an old crown Public
01/26/2023 - 10:26
Snowpack Observation 		Surface hoar factory near Pickett Peak
Woodfords Canyon 		Large feathered surface hoar. Hard melt freeze crusts on solar aspects above 7600'. Mid-slope wind drift. Wind effected snow in open areas below treeline. No signs of instability within pit profile. Professional Observer
01/25/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stevens Peak
Carson Pass Area 		A shovel tilt test showing buried surface hoar at the right depth to be the failure layer of a nearby previous avalanche. Further testing showed it to be unreactive A previous avalanche on a NE aspect at 8800ft. Zoom in to crown and it's not very weather worn During the calm morning, surface hoar growing where E winds recently blew Professional Observer
01/25/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Shallenberger Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Calm and sunny conditions in the morning. Surface hoar and some near surface faceting in wind protected BTL areas. Wind scouring along ridgeline Thin sun crusts with cold snow underneath on southerly aspects. Forecaster

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