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
12/16/2018 - 10:00
Avalanche Observation 		Frog Lake into Red Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Slide path 50yds from where avalanche was triggered The larger snow block is the size of a compact car for reference Public
12/16/2018 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		In a few locations we found small pockets of wind slab overlaying faceted snow. Evidence of previous blowing rocks on a lee slope. Professional Observer
12/16/2018 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Wind Transport on Castle Ridge Guide
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/16/2018 - 14:30
Snowpack Observation 		Powderhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Increasing clouds and some light precipitation over the Sierra Crest in the late afternoon. ECTX when testing the lower layers of the snowpack. Forecaster
12/16/2018 - 16:30
Snowpack Observation 		Below Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/17/2018 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Lola
Independence Lake Area 		Active wind transport along ridge line @ 8000' Small loose dry avalanche Storm hung up on the HWY49/Yuba river drainage Public
12/17/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Round valley
Donner Summit Area 		New small cornice broke easily under a ski kick. Wind blown snow texture on NW side of ridge to Castle. On a few steeper switchbacks cracks propagated. Professional Observer
12/17/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Small ski kick triggered wind slab on the edge of a wind loaded slope in near treeline terrain. Ski cuts triggered loose dry sluffs with the new snow sliding on the old near surface facets. Forecaster
12/17/2018 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small windslab under 4cm of soft snow cracking The wind affected layer that broke in the previous photo. Soft snow removed on left side to show the slab. ECTN 12 @ the new windslab layer. Public
12/18/2018 - 10:15
Avalanche Observation 		Shirley Canyon
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Shooting Crack Small windslab avalanche Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
12/18/2018 - 13:00
Avalanche Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		These wind slab avalanches along Mt. Judah were thought to have occurred mid morning. Shooting cracks in wind loaded terrain on small test slopes at lower elevation. Skier triggered reactive windslabs along Wildflower Ridge. Multiple natural wind slab avalanches along the East Face of Mt. Judah. All D1 in size. Wind slab avalanches along Mt. Judah were up to 1-2' deep, but did not extend very far downslope. Forecaster
12/18/2018 - 15:00
Avalanche Observation 		After Party
Independence Lake Area 		Public
12/19/2018 - 09:00
Snowpack Observation 		N of Twin Sentinels
Carson Pass Area 		Public
12/19/2018 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		Shooting Cracks in Wind loaded area Near Treeline Public
12/19/2018 - 11:30
Avalanche Observation 		Ellis Peak
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Intentionally triggered wind slab avalanche, D1. Another photo of same avalanche. Forecaster

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