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
12/01/2022 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Cracking where the new snow failed on the old facets on a previously undercut slope on an E-facing meadow below treeline. Near treeline avalanche path with facets below the new snow. We did not go into this area. Cracking in the new wind loaded snow on a wind-loaded test in exposed upper elevation terrain. Small wind slab failure on a wind loaded test slope in exposed upper elevation terrain. This failed on a weakness within the storm snow. Poor visibility caused by clouds and blowing snow. There are still plenty of rocks near the surface in this area. Forecaster
12/01/2022 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Remotely triggered avalanche failing on near surface facets from 300' away. Part of shooting cracks that traveled 500' through northerly terrain of varying steepness, down to near surface facet layer. More shooting cracks above steep slope. More shooting cracks down to near surface facets. Forecaster
11/30/2022 - 11:54
Snowpack Observation 		Carson Pass
Carson Pass Area 		Low snow totals looking towards Meiss Meadow and Little Round Top. Old wind effected snow that has softened up through faceting. Snow pit profile @ 8800' on NE aspect. Professional Observer
11/30/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Rocks
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Brandon looking at the facets under the wind crust in exposed upper elevation terrain. Weak faceted snow existed on the surface near the ridgeline in areas where trees offered any protection from the winds. Soft weak snow also existed under a thin wind crust on an exposed E aspect near the ridgeline. Soft, weak, faceted snow on a shady N aspect in below treeeline terrain. Soft weak snow under a melt freeze crust on a SE aspect. Lenticular clouds and wind indicating the approaching storm. Forecaster
11/29/2022 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		West of Grills
Little Truckee Summit Areas 		Public
11/29/2022 - 13:22
Snowpack Observation 		Pickett Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Snow melted down to dirt above 8500'. Large 3-5mm faceted grains from the ground up. No snow on the solar aspects of Thompson Peak. Surface hoar growth in open areas below tree line. Thin coverage below tree line with brush, logs, and rocks exposed. Professional Observer
11/29/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Relay Peak - East Ridge
Mount Rose Area 		Examples of terrain I will be avoiding during and after the next storm. Examples of terrain I will be avoiding during and after the next storm. About 4 or so inches of ski penetration into weak near surface facets. Forecaster
11/28/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Note the ski penetration into faceted surface snow on this NE aspect, near treeline traditional avalanche start zone. One tiny pocket of wind slab with very weak facets below it on a NE aspect at treeline. A this weak melt-freeze crust was widespread on the surface in areas of both sun and shade below about 7,300'. Forecaster
11/27/2022 - 12:26
Snowpack Observation 		Near Billy's Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Pit profile Coverage on Peak 8,761 Substantially less snow on the south facing, north side of Deep Creek Soft, faceted snow on the NNE face around 8,300', just off the crest Looking west, across the flanks of Tinker Knob towards the Royal Gorge Guide
Alpenglow Expeditions
11/27/2022 - 12:11
Snowpack Observation 		Angora peak
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Public
11/27/2022 - 11:24
Snowpack Observation 		Shirley Canyon
Donner Summit Area 		Facets below 1cm crust 35cm over ground with a base of ice Facets This ice is present under the snow pack, especially in lower ground where water runs Wind affected slab Wind affected slab Shooting cracks Guide
Alpenglow Expeditions
11/27/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Coverage on the lower half of Mt. Judah was poor and the snow surfaces were highly variable. More rocks and other obstacles protruding through the snowpack. Some areas at mid elevations where wind-blown snow had collected had better covereage. The E face of Judah had been scoured and still has lots of exposed rocks. The snow continues to weaken, but still is not showing signs of instability since there is nothing on top of the weak snow. Forecaster
11/27/2022 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Crater Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
11/26/2022 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Public
11/26/2022 - 13:34
Snowpack Observation 		Elephants Back
Carson Pass Area 		Trace amount of graupel on surface. Scoured ridge of Elephants Back. A look down at Red Lake and the service road. Thinning snow on Elephants Hump. No cornice build on Elephants Back. Isolated areas of breakable wind slabs. Professional Observer
11/26/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Recent winds have scoured snow surfaces in near and above treeline areas. Thin snow coverage throughout this area. Faceted weak snow developing in all shaded northerly terrain. Forecaster
11/26/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		moist snow surfaces on E aspect sugary faceted surface on N aspect Public
11/25/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		Lots of rocks existed at or just below the snow surface, especially below 8500 ft. Shaloow snow with some weak snow but no slab. ECTN 30 snowpit test results. Forecaster
11/24/2022 - 15:07
Snowpack Observation 		North side Donner Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Trap door skinning Public
11/23/2022 - 13:11
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Snow depth @ 7400' at trailhead on 11/10. Snow depth @ 7400' at trailhead on 11/23. Large surface hoar on shaded slopes @ 7600'. Minimal snow on solar aspects of Stevens peak. 30cm of boot pen. Pit profile on N aspect @ 8800'. A mix of larger rounded facets and clustered grains beneath rain crust. Hasty pit on wind slab. Professional Observer

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