State of the Snowpack for 1/2/2021 - 1/8/2021

Submitted by steve on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 15:24
Dates of the Week: 
1/2/2021 to 1/8/2021
Avalanche Problems: 
General Snowpack Structure: 
  • Deeper and stronger snowpack along the mid and northern Sierra Crest and Mt. Rose areas
  • Shallow and poor snowpack structure in the Carson Pass to Ebbetts Pass areas and some lower elevation locations
  • Dec 11 PWL has shown increased stength in areas with a deeper snowpack (> 1m).  
  • Whumpfing sounds, cracking, and unstable snowpack test results reported in weak, shallow snowpack areas- mostly focused around Carson Pass 
Weather Events: 
  • Jan. 2 rain/mist event
  • Jan. 4 storm with upper elevation snow and lower to mid elevation rain.  3 to 9'' of snow above 7000' favoring the northern part of forecast region
  • Gale force SW wind events 

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

Date and time of observation or avalanche occurrence Location Region Observation Type Photos Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos Snowpit videos (tests, etc) Observation made by
01/14/2021 - 12:00 Blue lakes Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Creek crossing melted out. Pit Profile @ 7800'. Pit Profile @ 8225'. Professional Observer
01/14/2021 - 11:00 Relay Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Mix snow surface conditions with variety of crusts present Northerly aspects held firm rain crusts at upper elevations. Small roller balls on E aspects where punchy wet snow existed. Forecaster
01/14/2021 - 10:30 Melissa Coray Peak Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Public
01/13/2021 - 14:00 just north of white rock lake Independence Lake Area Snowpack Observation Public
01/13/2021 - 13:30 Donner Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Guide
Blackbird Mountain Guides
01/13/2021 - 12:30 Becker Peak Echo Summit Area Snowpack Observation Public
01/13/2021 - 10:00 Mt. Lola Independence Lake Area Snowpack Observation Light rain and limited visibility of surrounding peaks and across valleys. The top 4-5 inches were wet from rain. Minor roller balls could be triggered in the surface wet snow. Surface wet snow, ideal for snowballs. Forecaster
01/13/2021 - 09:00 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Mist and warm temps all the way to the top of Silver Peak. Ski kicks produced small roller balls and pinwheels in the wet snow. The surface crust was wet and soft in some places and still breakable in others. The surface crust was wet and soft in some places and still breakable in others. Forecaster
01/12/2021 - 14:30 Chickadee Ridge Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Public
01/12/2021 - 11:30 Red Lake Peak Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation First sign of wind affected snow above 8000'. very small thin windslabs found in specific terrain. Snow transporting across the slope by saltation. Pit Profile @ 8700' on North aspect. Professional Observer
01/12/2021 - 11:00 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Rounding Dec 11 Facets Educator
West Wind Collective
01/12/2021 - 10:30 Tamarack Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Thick mid to high level cloud cover that later began to thin around midday. Thick mid to high level cloud cover that later began to thin around midday. Minor amounts of blowing snow during the strongest gusts. Forecaster
01/12/2021 - 08:45 Powderhouse Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Snowpack Observation Public
01/11/2021 - 11:30 Peak 9269' West Shore Area Snowpack Observation Forecaster
01/10/2021 - 13:30 Deep Creek Canyon Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Guide
Tahoe Mountain School

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