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
03/01/2020 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Near Elephants Back
Carson Pass Area 		A ski kick on a steep somewhat wind protected slope created a small loose dry avalanche that ran until the slope angle lessened. Measuring new snow in a fairly wind protected area: about 22 cms Hand hardness in a quick pit. New snow F hard, then a decomposing crust, then more F hard then progressively firmer snow. Using a loaded PST to look at weak snow below crust: PST 10/100 END Many long shooting cracks in near and above treeline terrain. This one was about 15 feet. Professional Observer
03/01/2020 - 12:45
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Lake Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Snow transport refilling skin track Small wind slabs near treeline Public
03/01/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		A long shooting crack on an open slope loaded by NE winds. The crack goes from where the photo was taken to the person in the red jacket. Wind scouring by the NE winds Another shooting crack on a cross-loaded SE aspect in near treeline terrain Shooting crack triggered on low angle slope loaded by the NE winds in near treeline terrain 3 ft thick wind slab resting on softer storm snow on top of an old firm crust. Forecaster
03/01/2020 - 11:45
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Loose dry avalanche on a steep slope sheltered from the wind that entrained the new snow Forecaster
03/01/2020 - 11:00
Avalanche Observation 		Deep creek
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Two crowns from single ski cut. Release occured from above skier (near,) and below (far.). Slide path Wind effect on cornice at end of ski cut. Public
03/01/2020 - 07:45
Avalanche Observation 		Carson Spur
Carson Pass Area 		Public
02/29/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Wet surface snow on top of a thick refrozen melt freeze crust on top of more wet snow on a SE aspect at 8000 ft at 10:40 am Firm refrozen melt-freeze conditions on a S aspect at 8300 ft. @ 11:00 am Corn snow conditions on a SE aspect at 8000 ft at 10:30 am. Raised tracks and firm scoured surfaces on an exposed NE aspect at 8200 ft. Forecaster
02/29/2020 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Chickadee Ridge
Mount Rose Area 		Fins in an old ski track, ~6 inches tall in some areas Public
02/28/2020 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Firm conditions around 11am on a sunny slope. Pine needles and other wind blown debris still present in the gut of gullies. Looking towards Lake Tahoe from near the summit. Professional Observer
02/28/2020 - 11:15
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Lake Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Widespread cloud cover today Some softer weaker snow on sheltered untracked N aspects Weak refreeze on a tree covered sun-exposed slope Wind scoured firm surfaces on open areas near and above treeline Artificially loaded PST with about 10 cm of "slab" on top of it to test the current snow surface Results of the artificially loaded PST 40/100 Slab Fracture Forecaster
02/27/2020 - 16:00
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarak Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Large, relatively wet, icy grains found on the surface of an east/southeast facing slope in a relatively open area below treeline. Hard, unbreakable crust in a shady flat area. Uneven sun sculpted snow on a southeast facing slope near treeline. Snow surface here was composed of roughly hand-sized icy "fins" that extended about 1-3 inches above snow surface. Dry, sugary snow on a well-protect north facing slope near treeline. A thin (0.5 in) weak crust was on the surface. Public
02/27/2020 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Early signs of a developing loose wet avalanche problem at 11:30 am on at S aspect at ~7,800'. Superficial refreeze of the top 2 inches of the snowpack with wet snow below in areas under forest canopy. Forecaster
02/26/2020 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Jake's Peak
West Shore Area 		Wet snow on E aspect at ~9,000', moving towards loose wet instability. Punchy, still transitional snow on E aspect, mid elevation terrain Dry surface facets in the shade on NE aspects above ~8,500'. Forecaster
02/25/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stevens Peak
Carson Pass Area 		South side of Stevens Peak Areas of smooth snow on northerly aspects from recent 1'' snow event. Uneven sun sculpted snow. Forecaster
02/24/2020 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Roundtop
Carson Pass Area 		Around an inch of soft new snow still present in shady terrain at 8600. A couple day old powder turns. Reverse bootpack at the ridge. While south facing slopes in this area are still rideable down to 7600 feet, coverage is rapidly shrinking. Examining the new snow and what is below. Professional Observer

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