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 Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images Observation made by
03/15/2023 - 11:00

Avalanche Observation
Elephants Back

Carson Pass Area
A small wind slab avalanche, where an adjacent ECTP indicated continued instability My first ECT that indicated instability My second ECT that indicated instability An inch thick graupel layer just below the surface Cold snow above the supportable crust, with some graupel and surface hoar Debris from Frog Lake Ridge that crossed the Red Lake Rd. The path width at the road was 150ft, and debris ran well downhill of the road Professional Observer
03/15/2023 - 10:00

Avalanche Observation
Ward Canyon

Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Cornice failure + wet slab Numerous wet snow avalanches Wind Slab - top of Little AK Guide

Blackbird Mountain Guides
03/15/2023 - 09:43

Avalanche Observation
Trestle Peak taken from Wolfe Estates

Donner Summit Area
Trestle Peak 9:30am March 15 Public
03/15/2023 - 08:00

Avalanche Observation
Corkscrew Public
03/14/2023 - 18:04

Avalanche Observation
Mount Tallac

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Crown around 8200-8500' on E-SE aspect where wet slide likely started after trigger from windslab avalanche in upper bowl. Looking up slide path Looking down lower 1000' of slide path Lots of damaged trees Public
03/14/2023 - 18:00

Avalanche Observation
Truckee River Canyon Near Floriston

Outside of the Forecast Area
Forecaster
03/14/2023 - 14:20

Avalanche Observation
Carson Pass Area

Carson Pass Area
Public
03/14/2023 - 12:04

Avalanche Observation
Donner Peak

Donner Summit Area
Public
03/14/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Sierra Buttes

Yuba Pass Area
Public
03/14/2023 - 11:30

Avalanche Observation
Hidden Peak

West Shore Area
Small wind slab avalanche crown skier triggered on SE aspect NTL Roller balls and small wet loose avalanche skier triggered on small rollover. Rain on snow with no snow in the trees at 7000'. Stormy and wet on the summit ridge of Hidden Peak. Settlement cones around trees. Forecaster
03/13/2023 - 14:30

Avalanche Observation
Tamarack

Mount Rose Area
Guide

Blackbird Mountain Guides
03/13/2023 - 12:15

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Storm slab, intentionally skier triggered, BTL terrain around 7,800' Storm slab, intentionally skier triggered, BTL terrain around 7,800' Storm slab cracking while breaking trail in wind protected BTL terrain. Moving above the skin track so that the storm slab was undercut made it easy to identify the layering. Shooting crack Forecaster
03/13/2023 - 12:00

Avalanche Observation
Jake's Peak

West Shore Area
Public
03/13/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Blue Lakes

Carson Pass Area
Repeatable ECTP results near the wind loaded ridgeline of The Nipple Three settlement cracks on the same tree A thick layer of wet snow 3ft below the surface, where grains were still loose and not bonding to each other 3ft of new snow above a thick rain layer. My probe is 10ft long, at the bottom of a 3ft hole, and still not touching the ground Professional Observer
03/13/2023 - 10:00

Avalanche Observation
Coudburst Canyon

Woodfords Canyon
Professional Observer
03/12/2023 - 13:00

Avalanche Observation
Incline Peak

Mount Rose Area
We intentionally triggered two wind slab avalanches on small NE aspect slopes in near treeline terrain. Both were 6 inch slabs of 4F+ over F hard snow. Cornices were weak, with sections up to 20 feet wide easily collapsed intentionally. Low cloud ceiling. Ongoing rapid settlement of storm snow. Forecaster
03/12/2023 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Rubicon Peak

West Shore Area
Snowpit test targeting the storm snow did not produce signs of instability (ECTN). Runnels in thh snow surface indicating water draining through the snowpack at 6500 ft. Roller balls and pinwheels comprised of wet snow on a steep slope at 6850 feet. Ice on trees and a rain crust at the base of the storm snow existed all the way to the top of Rubicon. Small cracks in a wind-loaded area near the summit of Rubicon. Clouds and blowing snow at the summit of Rubicon made for poor visibility. Forecaster
03/12/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Blue Lakes

Carson Pass Area
Public
03/12/2023 - 10:47

Snowpack Observation
Johnson Canyon

Donner Summit Area
Public
03/11/2023 - 14:00

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Ridge

Donner Summit Area
Educator

Alpenglow Expeditions

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