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 Region Observation Type Photos Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos Snowpit videos (tests, etc) Observation made by
03/26/2022 - 11:00 Polaris Bowl Carson Pass Area Avalanche Observation Public
03/26/2022 - 10:30 Elephant's Hump Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Snow surface crust was just supportable to a normal boot penetration. This is the same foot print as the previous photo but with a slight hop which produced a boot penetration of over 30 cms Pit looking at 2/14 facet layer. They were moist and easily clumped in this location. Looking at 2/14 facet layer. ECTN 17 Looking SE, notable lack of continuous snow on this sunny slope and mixed cloud cover A different location (slightly higher, more shady due to trees, and more directly N facing) produced repeatable ECTP27 on 2/14 facets. Looking at ice layer and 2/14 facets Looking across Red Lake at the south face of Red Lake Peak Professional Observer
03/25/2022 - 11:00 SW ridge of Castle Peak and Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Pinwheels, one of which grew to 4 feet in diameter before breaking apart. ENE aspect around 7,800' at 11am. Lots of debris on the snow surface near treeline. Deep boot penetration at 9:20 am. Deep boot penetration at 10:15 am. Not as firm as it looks. Still deep boot penetration. Some supportable areas near treeline to above treeline. Forecaster
03/24/2022 - 10:15 Elephant's Hump Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation 10:45 am: Deep ski penetration in to wet snow on sunny NE aspect terrain around 8,000'. 10 am: Deep boot penetration into wet snow at the trailhead. This open E aspect near treeline had much better supportability than the other slopes around it. Forecaster
03/23/2022 - 11:30 Mount Judah/Donner Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
03/23/2022 - 10:00 Jakes Peak West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Small wet loose avalanche triggered on a small convexity off of a ski turn on ENE aspect terrain at about 8,200'. Unsupportable, deep ski penetration at 11 am on ENE aspect at about 8,300. Deep boot penetration into wet snow a few minutes before 10 am in open area on a NE aspect at about 7,400'. Forecaster
03/22/2022 - 12:00 Tallac Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) Snowpack Observation South bowl zone on Tallac Minimal boot penetration at 10:30am on a low angle open area at 8000 feet. We encountered two different snow holes/moats. Skinning higher on this E facing slope the NE side had soft still transitioning new snow. Looking further east at the Crystal Range Small skier triggered wet loose slides. These were easy to trigger on the NE side of this run. The E side of this feature had quality corn with now wet loose issues. Lower on the mountain we found more widespread wet loose issues. Lower elevation and later in the day produced impressively deep boot penetration. Professional Observer
03/22/2022 - 11:30 Mt Houghton Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Skier triggered small wet loose avalanche on E aspect at 11:30am On open slopes, loss of supportability started around 11:15am. View of SE side of Mt Houghton Poor overnight refreeze in dense treed areas Forecaster
03/21/2022 - 11:00 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Small skier trigger wet loose activity on SE aspect at 11:30am SE aspect at 11:30am. Very light wind scouring along ridges from previous NE winds. Small roller balls on N aspect around 7600'. Forecaster
03/20/2022 - 13:00 The Nipple Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
03/20/2022 - 12:30 Elephant Hump Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Educator
Lake Tahoe Community College - Wilderness EducationhL
03/20/2022 - 12:00 Rubicon Peak West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Trace amounts of new snow at 6,800' New snow amounts increased to 3-4 inches above 8500 ft. Some minor cracking in a drift of snow created by the NE winds near the summit of Rubicon. Riming on the NE facing side of the trees along the summit ridge of Rubicon indicating NE winds. While blowing snow was only moderate today, there was enough to partly fill in this skin track during our tour. Another section of skin track filled in with blowing snow from today. Plumes of blowing snow along the high peaks in Desolation Wilderness. Public
03/20/2022 - 11:55 West side of North-Northwest Ridge of Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Wind slab and cracking on Andesite Peak Guide
Alpenglow ExpeditionshA
03/19/2022 - 17:30 Powderhouse Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation About an inch of snow sitting on soft saturated snow at the 7400 foot trailhead Looking up at the partially clearing sky and snow speckled to the north side of the trees At around 8500 feet snow depth was about 4 inches of new. None of the ridge features I visited held wind slab. Professional Observer
03/19/2022 - 13:00 Lincoln Ridge Yuba Pass Area Snowpack Observation Small cornices cracked easily above wind-loaded slopes. Near the ridgeline this developing wind slab measured about 6 inches deep. A few feet down the slope the wind slab had diminished to about 3 inches in depth. Intense blowing snow on along Lincoln Ridge. The depth of wind-loaded snow tapered off quickly as one moved away from the ridge. Snow showers mixed with periods of lighter precipitation and sun peeking through the clouds occurred during our tour. About 1 inch of new snow at the trailhead at 11:30 am. 2-3 inches of new snow accumulation at about 7400 ft around 1:00 pm. Forecaster

Pages

Subscribe to Central Sierra Nevada / Lake Tahoe Snowpack, Weather, and Avalanche Observations for California and Nevada from SAC