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 Media Observation made by
02/12/2023 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Yuba Pass
Yuba Pass Area 		Small D1 natural wind slab from Feb 11 The maximum extent of reactive wind slab observed today. ECTP-16 on Jan 29 SH layer Jan 29 buried SH layer, less upright than in the past. Forecaster
04/18/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Yuba Pass
Yuba Pass Area 		Ankle deep wet snow on an E aspect at 11 am. A thin melt freeze crust in the shade was all that was left from last night's refreeze at 11:30 am. Runnels in the snow surface indicating good drainage. Small roller balls and pinwheels on a sunny E-NE facing slope at 11:30 am. Ski cuts on sunny slopes triggered small roller balls and pinwheels before noon. Forecaster
02/04/2023 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Yuba Pass
Yuba Pass Area 		Cracking around skis while breaking trail. The longest cracks were 4 feet long. Large 25-30 mm SH under a surface slab. Jan 29 SH layer down about 12 cm PST 18/100 SF on Jan 29 SH layer, 4F hard slab over 25-30mm SH. 10 cm artificial slab added to the snow surface We left the artificial slab to sinter while we went and made other obs. When we returned to test the sample, someone had found it and their curiosity had lead them to damage it. Forecaster
02/09/2023 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Yuba Pass
Yuba Pass Area 		Jan 29 buried surface hoar layer. Unreactive at this location. Jan 29 buried SH layer. 1 to 2.5cm in size. Location of ECT's Forecaster
04/12/2020 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Yuba Pass
Yuba Pass Area 		Breakable surface crust from weak refreeze. Surface crust nearly all melted in sunny areas at 9:45 am. Easily triggered roller balls and pinwheels on a NE aspect at about 7,000'. Large pinwheel intentionally triggered from the slope above. March 24 buried surface hoar layer still a concern. March 24 surface hoar crystals under 10x magnification. Forecaster
04/19/2019 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Yuba Pass
Yuba Pass Area 		1.5 inches of very week surface crust remaining at 10 am. Deep boot penetration in sunny flats at 10 am. Wet snow surface sluffing, moving in the direction of loose wet instability. Deep, unsupportable wet snow with no signs of any remaining refreeze at 10:50 am. Forecaster
03/18/2020 - 04:30
Snowpack Observation 		Zone between Granite Lake and Upper Blue Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Dug pit down to depth of 158cm looking for weak faceted layer. Bottom of snowdepth was 320cm. Public
01/19/2019 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		~30 meters SW of Lake Mary
Donner Summit Area 		Public

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