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
11/09/2020 - 11:45 Mt. Judah Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation 5 to 12 inches of snowcover on NE aspect Wildflower Ridge at about 7,750'. Surface hoar and snowpit. N aspect of Mt. Judah at treeline. A mix a of surface hoar and lightly E wind scoured surface conditions. Surface hoar up to 8mm in wind protected areas. Forecaster
11/10/2020 - 11:15 Tamarack Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Far East Ridge start zones with 4 to 6 inches of snowcover. Pit location at pin drop. NNE aspect at 9,150' Southern end of Proletariat Bowl with 4 to 6 inches of snowcover. Hourglass Bowl, E wind scoured. Relay Peak with 4 to 6 inches of snowcover. Forecaster
11/12/2020 - 08:00 High Meadows Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Public
11/12/2020 - 11:00 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Thin snowpack at 7800', E aspect, in below treeline terrain. Limited to no snow on southerly aspects. Previous NE/E wind scouring on the top of Andesite Peak Forecaster
11/14/2020 - 11:15 Becker Ridge Echo Summit Area Snowpack Observation S side pit with 1 foot snowpack and ECTN result on poorly developed facets. Maximum extent of wind slab development observed (not much). Ski supportable conditions, staying on top of the dense Nov 13 snowfall. Overall thin coverage with many rocks and logs to hit. Forecaster
11/14/2020 - 13:00 Winnemucca Lake Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Thin (4-8) coverage in meadow below Winnemucca Lake. Elephants Back in backgorund, completely wind-scoured. Average depiction of snowdepth around Winnemucca Lake. About a foot deep. Some small wind slabs formed on various east facing slopes. Deepest snowdrift I saw on the ridge between Winnemucca Lake and Roundtop Lake. Only about 24-30 inches deep. Most of ridge was wind scoured. Public
11/15/2020 - 10:30 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation East bowl of Silver Peak Snowpit site on N aspect at ~7,650'. Thin coverage in traditional N aspect avalanche start zones. Thin coverage in traditional N aspect avalanche start zones. ECTN result at NE aspect, ~8,100' pit site. Forecaster
11/16/2020 - 11:00 Relay Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Pointing to weak faceted layer of concern. Consistent snowpack test results showing sudden collapse of weak layer. Previous NE/E wind scouring along exposed terrain above 9600'. Forecaster
11/16/2020 - 12:15 Incline Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation snow profile at 8830' on NE aspect facets near ground at 8830' were wet enough to make a snowball coverage on NE facing below treeline terrain near 8830' weak faceted grains at 9200' were too unconsolidated to form a snowball Public
11/17/2020 - 12:30 Elephant's Hump Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Testpit location on NNE aspect at about 8,825' Profile pit location on NNW aspect at 8,475'. Forecaster
11/18/2020 - 07:30 Donner ridge. Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
11/18/2020 - 09:00 Grouse Rock Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area Snowpack Observation Guide
Tahoe Mountain School
11/18/2020 - 11:30 Relay Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Large cracks across slope and below, but did not avalanche Looking at the cracks from the other side of the slope. The cracks were triggered from the skin track in the flats above the slope. 16-18'' of new dense snow on top of weak faceted snow near the ground. Skier triggered wind slab on a small wind-loaded test slope on Relay Ridge. The storm snow improved coverage, but many rocks, bushes, stumps and other obstacles still remain uncovered. Shallow early season conditions. Forecaster
11/19/2020 - 09:00 Grouse Rock Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area Snowpack Observation CT results : Sudden Collapse on facets near ground. , Educator
Tahoe Mountain School
11/19/2020 - 10:00 Tamarack Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Public

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