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
02/01/2017 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Blackwood Ridge
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Surface hoar on thin crust in large open areas well below treeline.Overrunning cloud cover associated with incomming storm system. Forecaster
12/09/2016 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Rocks
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Forecaster
02/26/2019 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Polaris Point
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Forecaster
12/19/2018 - 11:30
Avalanche Observation 		Ellis Peak
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Intentionally triggered wind slab avalanche, D1. Another photo of same avalanche. Forecaster
02/28/2015 - 14:30
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Rocks
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		, Forecaster
12/14/2020 - 09:00
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Educator
Blackbird Mountain Guid
01/30/2022 - 23:00
Snowpack Observation 		Barker Pass
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		South aspect 7,900' elevation ski penetration of .5" at 10:00am. NE aspect 8,500'. Variable conditions. Near surface facets, rain crust, wind effect. NE aspect ~8,000'. Rain crust. NE aspect ~8.200'. Wind ripples. Near surface facets NE aspect ~8,200'. S facing ridge top snow softening at noon. Public
12/29/2016 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Polaris Point
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Buried surface hoar layer above the 12/15 NCF's.Close up of the buried surface hoar. Forecaster
02/15/2023 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stanford Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Blowing snow over the Sierra Crest from strong to gale force NE winds Some cracking in wind loaded terrain when undercut by skin track on 6 to 8'' wind slab. Up to 3'' skin track refill within 1.5 hours. Wind scouring in exposed areas NTL terrain. ECTN on Jan 29 buried SH layer at this location. Forecaster
12/16/2019 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		E Wind transport Cornices Rimed surface hoar NW Tree Line 12-15mm surface hoar Professional Observer
02/14/2019 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Rain runnels / S5 snowfall 15cm of new snow on top of rain crust/rain saturated snow grains Skin track filled in after 45 mintues Guide
Tahoe Mountain Scho
02/06/2019 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Blackwood Ridge
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Signs of storm snow settlement, approaching 10 inches in some areas. Signs of previous wind transport near treeline. Wind loaded features that were unreactive to skier weight. Forecaster
03/03/2015 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Grouse Rock
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Professional Observer
02/15/2018 - 11:15
Snowpack Observation 		Ellis Peak
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Tale of two aspects - 1.8m deep snowpack on N aspect in the foreground and obvoiusly thin snowpack on solar aspects in the background.Wind effected snow surface below treeline on NNW aspect.Minor, inconsequential wind slab noted in near treeline terrain. Forecaster
02/06/2022 - 22:30
Snowpack Observation 		Polaris Point
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Near surface facets on Northerly terrain at 7,400'. Ski penetration ~3". Variable... facets in sheltered terrain, ice under tree canopies, and solar impacts near the ridge. Solar and wind effect on flat exposed terrain near 8,000'. Large surface hoar on sheltered NE terrain. Pit on N aspect at 7,300' to monitor uppers snowpack faceting. Public

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