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
02/24/2020 - 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
02/23/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Kinney reservoir
Ebbetts Pass Area 		Public
02/23/2020 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Breakable crust with facets below them a north aspect Soft corn snow on a S aspects @ 10:30 am Uneven sun sculpted surfaces Forecaster
02/22/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Diminished coverage on southerly aspects at lower elevations (below 7800 ft) Mostly clear skies in this area and looking to the south. Shallow soft corn snow on a supportable crust by 11 am on sunny slopes Sun/melt sculpting on a sunny SSW aspect near 7700 ft. Breakable crusts with a thin layer of softer/weaker snow below them on northerly aspects Forecaster
02/21/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Chickadee Ridge
Mount Rose Area 		Coverage on the S side of Slide Mtn Uneven snow surface on a SE aspect at 8900 ft. It was softening by 11 am. Variable conditions including scoured firm snow, soft snow, and breakable crusts on N aspects Shallow corn snow on S-SE aspects between 8000 and 9000 ft by 11:30 am Forecaster
02/21/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Cathedral Bowl
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Near tree line north facing terrain around 8000 feet still held some cold wintry snow. Steep north facing terrain showing a couple old crowns and evidence of wind. Soft turns in the sun just after noon. Professional Observer
02/21/2020 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stoney Ridge
West Shore Area 		Building the 10 cm artificial slab for the loaded PST. Surface faces and extremely thin, breakable crust made for decent travel conditions. Forecaster
02/20/2020 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		Peak 9452
Carson Pass Area 		A couple inches of soft snow during the late afternoon. Previous ski tracks indicating snow softening earlier this week. Several large branches had been knocked down by 2/9 wind event Gully holding debris from 2/9 wind event. Trying to capture depth with my pole for scale of these sun cups/neve penitentes Large area of significant neve penitentes Professional Observer
02/20/2020 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		Ebbetts Pass
Ebbetts Pass Area 		Professional Observer
02/20/2020 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		E aspects near 9000', thin breakable crust with moist faceted snow beneath. Transitional snow on E aspects, 8500', at noon. Forecaster
02/19/2020 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Squaw Ridge
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
02/19/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		3 cm of corn on top of a P to I hard surface melt-freeze layer over 15 cm thick. Decent snowcover holding on S to SW aspects of Castle Peak. Forecaster
02/18/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Tiny areas of wind drifted snow up to 0.5 inches deep from recent SW wind event. Upper snowpack breakable crust and facets on below treeline N aspects. Forecaster
02/17/2020 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Firm variable surfaces on northerly aspects Firm melt-freeze conditions on a WNW aspect Shallow corn snow on a W aspect at 8000 ft. Breakable crust with soft weak snow below it on a north aspect. Wind scoured scalloped firm snow on an E-NE aspect. Forecaster
02/17/2020 - 12:15
Snowpack Observation 		Relay peak
Mount Rose Area 		Breakable crust, sastrugi, wind blown snow and near surface facets Reverse tracks Public

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