These observations document past conditions at a small and variable scale. They are not too 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 Region Observation Type Photos Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos Snowpit videos (tests, etc) Observation made by
03/25/2021 - 11:00 Lincoln Ridge Yuba Pass Area Snowpack Observation Light NE wind scouring on NE aspects near ridgeline Increasing clouds throughout the morning Thin melt freeze crusts developing on sun exposed slopes Forecaster
03/24/2021 - 12:15 Castle Peak and Andesite Ridge Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation NE wind scouring extened across the ridge and down onto the west side of the ridge. Some skier triggered roller balls and loose wet snow on a steep SE facing aspect at 12:15 pm. Small skier triggered pinwheels on a sunny slope around noon. Hard wind packed slab sitting on soft snow. The wind slab was thin here and behaved more like a breakable crust. Thick (up to 2 ft) hard wind slab created by the NE winds on a W aspect. Jumping on this slope did not trigger failure even when we undercut it. ECTN testing the wind slab. It was pencil hard slab on top of 4-finger soft snow. CT 18 on the interface between the pencil hard wind slab and the 4-finger snow below it. Wind scoured surfaces and wind sculpted features were everywhere on near and above treeline slopes. Wnd scouring and sculpting also extend into near and below treeline areas. Forecaster
03/24/2021 - 12:00 The Sisters Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/24/2021 - 10:30 Powderhouse Peak Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Wind scoured snow on Powderhouse Peak Wind scoured snow on Powderhouse Peak Snow by skin track (3/21/2021) with hoar frost Snow by skin track (3/24/2021) with no hoar frost Public
03/23/2021 - 12:45 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/23/2021 - 12:05 Waterhouse Peak Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation 5 inches of new snow in a wind protected open area off the edge of Grass Lake. High sun angle getting well into low to moderate slope angle N aspect terrain. As we approached treeline, our tracks in the new snow became more shallow with NE wind scouring. Intense blowing and drifting snow on the ridgetop. Intense blowing and drifting snow on the ridgetop. Forecaster
03/22/2021 - 12:00 Slab Cliffs Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Low cloud layer throughout the day Cracking in wind loaded terrain Cornices are built out, but have gained some strength with only the top layer failing with ski kicks Crusts forming over the weekend from sun and warming temperatures on multiple aspects Forecaster
03/22/2021 - 09:10 Rubicon Peak West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/21/2021 - 12:45 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Wet snow sluff on an E facing test slope at 1 pm. NE winds blowing snow over the ridge on Castle Peak. Large cornices above a wind-loaded NE facing slope between Castle Peak and Frog Lake Cliffs Blowing snow, raised and scoured tracks, and large cornices on the N side of Castle Peak Forecaster
03/21/2021 - 12:00 Indian Valley Ebbetts Pass Area Avalanche Observation Professional Observer
03/21/2021 - 11:00 Upper Flume creek Sierra Buttes Outside of the Forecast Area Avalanche Observation Public
03/21/2021 - 11:00 Bronco Chutes Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation Public
03/21/2021 - 10:00 Red Lake Peak Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Cracking in freshly formed wind slab on SW gully feature Reverse skin track possibly from yesterday on an exposed, cold, windy ridge Large 8mm surface hoar was widespread near the summit of Red Lake Peak. Strong E wind visibly blowing snow over the ridge Consistent CT RP results about 10 cms down from the surface. This is within the recent storm snow. Two ECTs and two ECTNs showing similar results to the CTs but no propagation. Skier triggered slide from yesterday in main gully. This is a frequent slide and the debris ran nearly the full length. Impressively wide avalanche that was reported yesterday. Another previous slide that appeared to be from yesterday or earlier on a more south facing slope where it appeared a cornice break triggered a wind slab below. Professional Observer
03/20/2021 - 16:00 Tragedy springs Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation Public
03/20/2021 - 15:18 Hiram Peak Ebbetts Pass Area Avalanche Observation Public

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