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
11/23/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		The windward side of the ridge was fully scoured back to dirt by the east winds. These winds have even blown some dust onto the snow on the leeward side of the ridge. Wind scoured surfaces and lots of exposed rocks existed on the open E-facing slopes The summit of Andesite also has been hammered by SW and E-NE winds. Looking at coverage on Castle and Basin Peak. Forecaster
11/22/2022 - 13:30
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Public
11/22/2022 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Chickadee Ridge
Mount Rose Area 		Sun crust with soft snow below it on sunny southerly facing aspects. The soft faceted snow below the sun crust on southerly aspects still would clump together when squeezed. Coverage is thin in this area even on the shady N facing aspects Snowpit on a shady slope with facets but no slab. ECTX results. Forecaster
11/21/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Surface hoar was widespread in the morning. The current stability allowed us to dig a snowpit in an avalanche path. The snow was shallow and getting weaker. ECTN29 test result on a 36 degree N-facing slope Wind scouring along the ridge. Previously wind loaded area where the snow was quite firm. Now, the snow surface is softer and more punchy. Forecaster
11/20/2022 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Winnemucca Lake
Carson Pass Area 		NE facing ridge below Round Top. Bony, eroded snow. Public
11/18/2022 - 10:55
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Notable large surface hoar in open areas below treeline. Notable large surface hoar in open areas below treeline. Cornices along Lincoln Ridge are still large enough to act as avalanche start zones despite recent NE wind scouring. Forecaster
11/17/2022 - 13:29
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Ridge
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Public
11/17/2022 - 12:20
Snowpack Observation 		Round top
Carson Pass Area 		Widespread wind effect and scouring near Round top and the Sisters. Wind slab formation above tree line. Low coverage and obstacles on way out to Round top. Pit profile @ 8700 on NW aspect. Supportable wind slab. Diminishing snow pack on Red Lake Peak. Professional Observer
11/17/2022 - 11:10
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Ski penetration of about 4 inches into faceted snow. I found this NW aspect spot at treeline where a wind slab was on top of faceted snow. The slab was only 1 to 3 inches think. No shooting cracks, just the slab breaking up underfoot. Damage from previous NE winds at treeline. Scouring down to bare ground by previous NE winds. Forecaster
11/16/2022 - 10:59
Snowpack Observation 		Becker Ridge
Echo Summit Area 		41 cm pit on the sunny side of Becker Ridge The old skin track on the ridge completely covered by redistributed snow from the previous east winds. North facing open terrain near the ridg This was the area I found with the most surface hoar. Right on the ridge. Looking down on the mostly liquid lower Echo Lake. This open area has produced impressive surface hoar in the past but I didn't find much here today (although the upper snow was quite faceted). Professional Observer
11/15/2022 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		East winds scouring east facing slopes and blowing snow onto west facing slopes. A small shallow pocket of wind-drifted snow on the west side of Andesite. It did not extend very far away from the ridge and it was difficult to make it crack. I had to under cut it first. More east wind transport along the summit of Andesite Peak This image shows some buried surface hoar mixed in with other snow grains. I found this thin layer about 3-4 inches (10cm) below the surface in a meadow. Forecaster
11/15/2022 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Elephant's Hump
Carson Pass Area 		Hard wind slab over faceted snow at treeline on NE-E aspect terrain. Elephant's Back, scoured by NE winds. S aspects of Red Lake Peak, scoured by NE winds. Forecaster
11/15/2022 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Powderhouse peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Surface hoar @ 7800 at bottom of trailhead. Non-compressible dry snow, felt like near surface facets forming. Pit profile @ 8800' on north aspect. 2-3mm surface hoar above 9000' near tree line. Wet-compressible snow under rain crust in pit profile. Wind features near tree line with surface hoar and new precipitation particles on surface. Ghost tracks that were filled in from recent winds. Professional Observer
11/14/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		We found widespread surface hoar on the the snow surface. The ridgeline showed signs of wind scouring on both sides of the ridge. Wind affected surfaces on the NE side of the ridge. Forecaster
11/12/2022 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Elephant's Hump
Carson Pass Area 		There are multiple small streams and areas of open water in the area. This skin track was actively refilling with blowing snow made up of new snow fragments & graupel. On sunny aspects a breakable melt freeze crust was present. Grass and rocks poking up on a south facing wind swept slope. Looking up at Elephant's Back. The plumes of blowing snow were impressive in person. This established skin track is completely obscured just past the trees b/c it was filled in by blowing snow. A small area of wind slab in near tree line terrain. The old road that climbs up to Carson Pass from Red Lake has enough coverage to travel via skis but just barely. Looking down on Red Lake and Red Lake Peak. Professional Observer

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