State of the Snowpack for 4/10/2021 - 4/16/2021

Submitted by andy on Sat, 04/17/2021 - 07:22
Dates of the Week: 
4/10/2021 to 4/16/2021
Avalanche Problems: 
General Snowpack Structure: 
  • Melt-freeze conditions existed on all aspects prior to the mid-week spring storm. After the storm, the storm snow became a layer of transitional snow on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects and colder snow capped by breakable crusts on NW-N-NE aspects.
  • Poor to non-existent snow coverage exists on many S aspects with adequate snow coverage on most other aspects.
  • Spring melting continues. Many more areas of bare ground are now exposed.
Weather Events: 
  • Warm sunny spring weather early in the week.
  • Spring storm on Tuesday night into Wednesday with snowfall amounts that varied from less than an inch in some places to 10-12 inches in the Mt Rose area.
  • Sunny spring weather for the end of the week.

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
11/29/2021 - 14:00 Ebbetts Peak Ebbetts Pass Area Snowpack Observation Professional Observer
11/29/2021 - 11:30 Castle Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Weak facets below surface rain crust on well shaded E aspect around 7,500'. Weak facets below surface rain crust on well shaded E aspect around 7,500'. F hard surface facets on top of rain crust, N aspect at around 8,200'. Foot punch through surface rain crust into facets on shaded WNW aspect at around 8,400'. Melted south aspects, snow covered north aspects. Forecaster
11/28/2021 - 13:00 Elephants Back Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Mixed trail of snow and dirt. Flowing drainages throughout the tour. Melt freeze crust on the surface. Pit profile Thinning snowpack looking towards Blue Lakes from Elephants Back Looking out towards Meiss Meadow. Professional Observer
11/24/2021 - 11:00 Tamarack Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Patchy snow cover existed on the north aspects below 9000 ft with dirt on other aspects. Snow coverage improved on northerly aspects at higher elevations. Forecaster
11/24/2021 - 08:33 Silver Peak Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation surface crust w/bed of facets, superficial crust, facets XXX mark facets separating the crusts a slightly different location (still in the Norths) showing a thicker surface crust with about 6-8cm of sugar facets below with about Public