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
04/23/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Recent cornice collapse with wet loose avalanche along the Lincoln/Anderson Ridgeline. Shin deep boot pen with marginal ski supportability at 11:30am on E aspects. 5'' of very wet surface snow on top of a 1F M/F crust 2'' thick. Below that up to 3' of wet snow. Cloud cover looking south along the Sierra Crest. Large deep cracks opening up as cornices pull away from ridges. Forecaster
04/23/2023 - 10:56
Snowpack Observation 		Scout Peak
Echo Summit Area 		6" of boot pen on S aspect @ 0930 @ 8900' Upper level cirrus clouds with lower level cumulus throughout the day. Punchy wet snow along the ridgeline. Weak 2-4cm melt freeze crust from last night. Wet clustery snow near and below the surface. Professional Observer
04/23/2023 - 09:00
Snowpack Observation 		Flagpole Peak
Echo Summit Area 		7am cloud cover over Lower Echo Lake Good day for spring mountaineering practice, except boot penetration was already getting deep by 9am Large cornices and recent wet loose activity along the Becker/Talking/Ralston ridge This recent avalanche had a flank that appeared more slab-like than loose Professional Observer
04/22/2023 - 11:15
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Tallac
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Cathedral Bowl looking in through northern entrance with some older cornice fall and wet loose debris visible. A sizable rockfall event occurred off of the rock buttress in the center top portion of the frame while we were in the lower portion of the bowl. Recent wet loose avalanches on E aspect slopes just to the north of Cathedral Bowl. Forecaster
04/22/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Sand Chutes/Galena Bowls
Mount Rose Area 		Public
04/21/2023 - 16:00
Snowpack Observation 		Blue Lakes
Carson Pass Area 		Triple threat cornices, and many more were out of the frame Another large cornice in the Blue Lakes area Convective cloud cover building in the afternoon heat Due to a mechanical failure I did more walking today than usual, and boot penetration was minimal Professional Observer
04/21/2023 - 12:44
Snowpack Observation 		Luther Pass
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Looking at Pickett's and Hawkins peak with passing cloud cover. 1-2" of new snow from Tuesday found in this area in very isolated shaded locations. Rock moats are opening up, post holed above my thigh on this one. 300cm of snow @ 8900' on NW aspect. Minimal boot pen @ 1130 on south aspect. Passing cirrus clouds to start the day. Professional Observer
04/21/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Slide Mountain
Mount Rose Area 		Up to 4'' of wet transitional snow near 9600' on E aspects sliding easily on a firm M/F crust. Loose wet and roller balls on a steep E aspect wind loaded feature. Increasing clouds in the Mt. Rose area starting around 10am. Good snow coverage throughout this area. Wet and punchy transitional snow on S aspects at 9000'. Forecaster
04/20/2023 - 12:01
Snowpack Observation 		Elephan'ts Hump
Carson Pass Area 		Recent cornice fall with wet loose activity on the main face of Elephant's Back. Isolated pockets of soft unconsolidated snow on true north aspects. Wind slab formation from Tuesday's weather event on NE aspect. Melt freeze crust above new snow from Tuesday's weather event. Skin track on SE aspects @ 11:30, 1/2" of surface snow softening up. Small rollerballs on ski cuts and turns. Professional Observer
04/20/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Johnson Canyon
Donner Summit Area 		The recent storm snow sitting on the previous melt-freeze crust. The storm snow has not fully transitioned from cold snow to corn snow. Ski cuts triggered small sluffs of wet snow on steep sunny slopes at 10:30 am. Shady or true north facing slopes still held cold soft snow. Sunny areas had a melt freeze crust on top of soft snow on top of a much thicker melt-freeze layer. Forecaster
04/20/2023 - 09:00
Snowpack Observation 		Maggies Peak
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Public
04/19/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		A weak sun crust had formed on the surface in sun-exposed areas. Ski kicks on wind-loaded test slopes did not produce wind slab failures only small sluffs of new snow. Large cornices still exist along Lincoln Ridge. Debris from old cornice collapses is visible on the slope below. The wind had exposed firm melt-freeze crusts on the ridges. Forecaster
04/18/2023 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		West of Mt. Lola
Independence Lake Area 		A very shallow natural wind slab. Slope cuts on wind loaded features produced some minor cracking no longer than about 2 feet. Forecaster
04/18/2023 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Echo Lake Trees
Echo Summit Area 		Snow depth was highly variably but ranged from 2-6" with areas with zero accumulation Snow accumulation had mostly ended by the time of my midday tour and brief breaks of blue sky were present There was active blowing snow over this small wind feature Examining the snow on a north facing slope in a clearing above Echo Lake The still present old crusty skin track with fresh snow on either side captures the variability I found. A small slab directly below my ski on a short steep test slope that had been undercut. Echo Lake Professional Observer
04/18/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Guide
Tahoe Mountain School
04/17/2023 - 16:00
Snowpack Observation 		Forestdale
Carson Pass Area 		Many slopes had a rough texture that may help help with new snow bonding An inch of corn, with a very light crust One of the few large cornices above Forestdale that hasn't fallen yet (Elephants Graveyard) "The Patch" has plenty of snow to last a long time Professional Observer
04/17/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Rose Knob Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Haze and thin cloud cover moving into area mid to late morning. Supportable snow conditions in the morning with a good overnight refreeze. Large cornices with previous cornice fall. Forecaster
04/16/2023 - 12:45
Avalanche Observation 		Sugar Bowl Drive and Railway Tunnel
Donner Summit Area 		Public
04/16/2023 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Castle and Andesite Peaks
Donner Summit Area 		The melt-freeze crust was close to 8 inches thick in many places above 8000 ft this morning. Limited surface softening occurred at the upper elevations by 11:30 am. Many SW-W-NW aspects remained firm until we departed around noon. Mid to late morning cloud cover and strong winds above 8000 ft. slowed down the snow surface warming. Recent rollerballs on the east aspects of Andesite Peak East aspects below 8000 ft had unsupportable wet snow on them by 11:45 am Forecaster
04/16/2023 - 10:00
Avalanche Observation 		Job's Canyon
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Public

Pages