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State of the Snowpack for 2/13/2021 - 2/19/2021

Submitted by steve on Fri, 02/19/2021 - 15:12
Dates of the Week: 
2/13/2021 to 2/19/2021
Avalanche Problems: 
General Snowpack Structure: 
  • Slowly increasing HS throughout the forecast region.  HS near 2m along the northern Sierra Crest above 7500'
  • Firm rain crusts up to peak tops along the Sierra Crest, no rain crust in the Mt. Rose area
  • Small wind slabs in upper snowpack in wind loaded areas
Weather Events: 
  • Multiple small storms through the week with a temperature warming trend
  • High elevation rain event on Monday Feb 15 with rain over 10,000' along the Sierra Crest
  • Gale force SW winds with these small storms with a NE wind event midweek

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
02/21/2021 - 12:00 Deep Creek Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation Graupel from beneath the Feb. 20 storm snow 2-3mm surface hoar on top of the Deep Creek ridgeline, around 7800' surface texture evidence of northerly winds late on Feb. 20 Guide
Alpenglow Expeditions
02/21/2021 - 10:30 Lincoln Ridge Yuba Pass Area Snowpack Observation Wind scoured areas with exposed rain crust on the ridge. Surface hoar in open sheltered areas in the morning. Ice coated trees from the recent freezing rain event. Small signs of settlement around some trees. Looking at how the snow is changing around the recent rain crusts Forecaster
02/21/2021 - 10:30 Incline Peak Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation Public
02/20/2021 - 14:45 Backside of Incline Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Signs of wind-blown snow along ridgeline NE of Rose Knob on backside of Incline Peak Zoomed-in view of ridgeline showing wind-loading Public
02/20/2021 - 14:36 1/4 mile north of mt Lola Little Truckee Summit Areas Avalanche Observation Public
02/20/2021 - 13:56 Observation point Shirley canyon Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area Snowpack Observation wind slab pocket cracked under skis Guide
Alpenglow Expeditions
02/20/2021 - 13:30 Horse Canyon Bear Valley Area Avalanche Observation Public
02/20/2021 - 12:30 Tragedy Springs Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Test slope #1 Public
02/20/2021 - 10:30 Saddle between Scotts Lake and Big Meadow Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Public
02/20/2021 - 10:15 Castle Peak North Bowl Avalanche Observation Public
02/20/2021 - 09:00 Andesite Peak Donner Summit Area Snowpack Observation Two small wind slabs, both intentionally triggered. Wind slabs failing on a density change mid height within the wind drifted storm snow. Storm slab cracking while breaking trail. Large grauple at the old/new interface on top of rain crust. More clearing than expected leading to minor snow surface warming. Forecaster
02/19/2021 - 16:00 Mt tamarack Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Public
02/19/2021 - 11:30 Tamarack Peak Mount Rose Area Snowpack Observation Ski kick triggered cracking along the east ridge of Tamarack Peak. These wind slabs remained shallow and only extended a few feet down slope. Ski kick triggered cracking along the east ridge of Tamarack Peak. These wind slabs remained shallow and only extended a few feet down slope. this was the largest one we saw. Fragile cornices on the Prolateriate ridgeline. Cornices built out along the east ridge of Tamarack Peak. ECTP's on a NE facing wind-loaded test slope at 9800 ft near the top of Tamarack. Blowing snow and sun trying to poke through the clouds. Wind scoured surfaces on windward aspects. Forecaster
02/19/2021 - 09:00 Hope Valley / Tamarack Junction Carson Pass Area Snowpack Observation Public
02/19/2021 - 07:00 Tamarack Peak Mount Rose Area Avalanche Observation Public

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