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 Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images Observation made by
05/10/2023 - 11:11

Snowpack Observation
Rubicon Peak

West Shore Area
Public
05/07/2023 - 13:00

Avalanche Observation
Crescent Moon Chute

Carson Pass Area
Public
05/07/2023 - 10:28

Avalanche Observation
Castle Peak North Bowl

Donner Summit Area
Public
05/07/2023 - 10:20

Avalanche Observation
Jake's - Eagle/Vikingsholm chute

West Shore Area
Public
05/06/2023 - 10:30

Avalanche Observation
Hidden Peak

West Shore Area
Public
05/06/2023 - 08:30

Snowpack Observation
Relay Peak

Mount Rose Area
Public
05/05/2023 - 12:20

Avalanche Observation
Tallac N Bowl

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Public
05/03/2023 - 00:00

Snowpack Observation
Mt Judah Up to 18” wind slap on NW aspect of the summit ridge Public
04/29/2023 - 11:49

Snowpack Observation
Blue Lakes

Carson Pass Area
Zero boot pen @ 1015 @ 7800'. Thin melt freeze crust on SE aspect @ 8000'. Recent rock and cornice fall off the Nipple. High cloud cover blocking solar radiation. 2-4cm boot pen @ 1200. South face of Red Lake Peak. Drainages, creeks, depressions and rivers are getting bigger and more abundant. Professional Observer
04/29/2023 - 11:00

Avalanche Observation
Jakes Peak

West Shore Area
Public
04/29/2023 - 11:00

Avalanche Observation
Johnson Canyon

Donner Summit Area
A thin weak refreeze existed on top of a deep layer of residual wet snow. Ski cuts triggered small D1 wet loose avalanches on steep test slopes. Large crevasse-like cracks exist where cornices are pulling away from the ridges. Forecaster
04/28/2023 - 11:00

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
D1 wet loose avalanche triggered by a ski cut above the slope on an ENE aspect @ 11:00 am Small sluff of wet snow triggered by a ski kick above the slope @10:45 am. Another small wet loose avalanche triggered by a ski cut above a NE facing slope @ 11:15 am. Ankle-deep wet snow on an E aspect at 10:15 am. Runnels in the snow surface indicating melt water draining through the snowpack Forecaster
04/27/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Relay Peak

Mount Rose Area
East aspects off of the E ridge of Relay Peak. 4''+ supportable melt freeze crust P-1F hardness at 10:30am on E aspects Forecaster
04/27/2023 - 11:00

Avalanche Observation
Mt Judah

Donner Summit Area
Guide

Tahoe Mountain School
04/27/2023 - 10:00

Snowpack Observation
Red Lake Peak

Carson Pass Area
A solid (if shallow) refreeze just below 8000' at 8:00AM Boot pen was minimal at 9:00AM at about 9400' Looking down on Meiss Meadows area. Classic corn conditions around 9:30AM Tough spot to grow up for this Juniper, with multiple branches broken by slides in this avy path. At 10:00AM at 8,000' on a south facing slope there was a couple cms of surface softening, and then nearly 20 cms of frozen snow over wet snow. It took some work to shovel through the frozen snow on top. Professional Observer
04/26/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Castle Peak

Donner Summit Area
Wet surface snow on top of a weak refreeze layer on top of deep wet snow on an E aspect at 9:30 am. Deep holes that go down to flowing creeks are starting to form in the Castle Peak Meadows. The snow was starting to become unsupportable on SE-S aspects by 10:45 am. Runnels in the snow surface indicate melt water draining through the snowpack. Forecaster
04/25/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Jakes Peak

West Shore Area
The bottom part of a SE aspect on Jakes Peak.  Not very smooth with a marginal refreeze at lower elevations. Ski pen on E aspects at 10am near 7500'. Boot pen was ankle deep at 10:30am on E aspects in isolated areas. Remains of an old large avalanche, probably from March, that ran through this area. Views into Desolation Wilderness with a deep snowpack. Forecaster
04/25/2023 - 08:00

Snowpack Observation
Rose Knob

Mount Rose Area
Public
04/24/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Rose Knob Peak

Mount Rose Area
When we stepped off our skis we sank into deep wet snow on SE-S aspects by 10:45 and on SW aspects by 11:30 am. Some places where a shallower snowpack existed near the ridge held deep wet snow at 11 am. The snow remained ski and boot supportable on SW and W aspects until sometime between 11 and 11:30 this morning. Forecaster
04/23/2023 - 19:15

Snowpack Observation
Allison Ridge - Rose Knob Peak

Mount Rose Area
Cracking and recent collapses of the cornice Public

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