In partnership with: 
State of the Snowpack for 1/18/2020 - 1/24/2020
Dates of the Week:
1/18/2020 to 1/24/2020
Avalanche Problems:
- Persistent Slabs - Large D3 snowbike-triggered avalanche and a smaller skier-triggered avalanche reported on 1/18. Numerous whumpfs and unstable snowpit tests early during the week.
- Wind Slabs - Skier triggered and natural wind slab avalanches reported on 1/18, 1/20, and 1/24.
- Loose Wet - Minor activity reported.
General Snowpack Structure:
- A rain crust has formed on the snow surface up to about 8500 ft.
- The Jan 4 weakness started the week with widespread signs of instability. By the end of the week, data indicated that this layer is gaining strength.
- Below the Jan 4 crust/facet combination, a well-consolidated snowpack exists.
Weather Events:
- A clear day Jan 18 gave way to cloudy skies and warmer weather through Jan 20.
- Small storm with wind and limited snow on Jan 21.
- Another warm and weak storm with rain up to 8500 ft. on the night of Jan 23.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/2020 - 11:00 | Mt. Judah | Donner Summit Area | Snowpack Observation |
      |
Forecaster | ||
| 01/26/2020 - 16:00 | Far East Ridge of Tamarack | Mount Rose Area | Snowpack Observation |
  |
Forecaster | ||
| 01/26/2020 - 14:00 | Waterhouse | Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) | Snowpack Observation |
 |
Public | ||
| 01/26/2020 - 14:00 | Bear Meadows | Independence Lake Area | Avalanche Observation |
   |
Public | ||
| 01/26/2020 - 12:45 | Mt Houghton Peak | Mount Rose Area | Snowpack Observation |
 |
Public | ||
| 01/26/2020 - 12:30 | Round Top | Carson Pass Area | Snowpack Observation |
 |
Public | ||
| 01/26/2020 - 12:30 | Roundtop | Carson Pass Area | Snowpack Observation | Public | |||
| 01/26/2020 - 11:15 | East Ridge Relay Peak | Mount Rose Area | Snowpack Observation |
 |
Public | ||
| 01/26/2020 - 10:00 | South slopes of Tamarack | Mount Rose Area | Snowpack Observation |
   |
Public | ||
| 01/26/2020 - 06:00 | Above Round Lake | Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) | Snowpack Observation |
  |
Educator Lake Tahoe Community College - Wilderness Education |
||
| 01/26/2020 - 04:00 | Skiers left arm Mt Tallac | Avalanche Observation |
   |
Public | |||
| 01/26/2020 - 02:00 | Waterhouse | Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) | Snowpack Observation |
 |
Public | ||
| 01/25/2020 - 15:00 | Powderhouse | Snowpack Observation |
 |
Educator Lake Tahoe Community College - Wilderness Education |
|||
| 01/25/2020 - 14:30 | 1/2 mile NE from Toms meadow | Independence Lake Area | Snowpack Observation |
 |
Public | ||
| 01/25/2020 - 14:00 | School Rock [Across from China Wall of the Sierra] | Donner Summit Area | Avalanche Observation |
  |
Public |
