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
04/14/2019 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Silver Peak

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Mostly cloudy skies with some sun breaks. Looking south along the Crest through the Tahoe Basin. Potentially more sun further south. Thick cloud cover to the west of the Silver Peak at 11:20am. Forecaster
04/13/2019 - 14:30

Snowpack Observation
Luther Pass

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Professional Observer
04/13/2019 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Johnson Canyon

Donner Summit Area
Fully boot supportable 9 inch thick K hard crust at 6,560' at 9:40 am. Still ski supportable but not boot supportable 9 inch thick 1F hard crust at 7,420' at 10:15 am. Fractures behind cornices, common in this climate. Forecaster
04/13/2019 - 07:00

Snowpack Observation
Echo Peak

Echo Summit Area
Large debris from previous wet slide Many previous wet slides Another previous wet slide Public
04/12/2019 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Jake's Peak (Emerald Bay)

West Shore Area
Loose wet debris on SE slope Zero ski pen on scoured surface Trees dusted w/ snow up high Large debris under a light coat of snow Public
04/11/2019 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Blackwood Ridge

Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Thick frozen crust on top of wet snow. Scoured icy rain crusts on an E aspect. The crust was boot and ski supportable during our tour and showed no signs of melting as of noon. Cloud cover increased during our tour and light snow started to fall around noon. Forecaster
04/10/2019 - 14:00

Snowpack Observation
Incline Peak

Mount Rose Area
1"+ Wind affected but smooth cold new snow on higher 9400' N/NE aspects at 145p - Fog is from lens Smooth warm non-sticky South Facing turns to 8200' at 2p - supported on skis but shin deep w boots Public
04/10/2019 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Chickadee Ridge

Mount Rose Area
Wind sculpting and scouring exposing a firm crust along the ridge from the NE winds. The refrozen crust was thick, frozen, and supportable on a sunny south facing slope at noon. Patches of new snow less than .5 inches deep existed on top of the firm refrozen crust. In most places the crust was exposed on the surface. The thin veneer of new snow was scoured away from the exposed northerly aspects leaving a firm icy crust behind. Forecaster
04/10/2019 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Blue Lakes

Carson Pass Area
Public
04/10/2019 - 11:45

Snowpack Observation
Hawk's Peak

Donner Summit Area
Melted and refrozen crust w/ some wind effect Shallow wind scour + deposit 1-2cm of new snow atop frozen rain crust NE facing cornice break (Sunrise Bowl) E facing cornice break E facing cornice break Public
04/09/2019 - 14:30

Snowpack Observation
Elephant's Back

Carson Pass Area
Professional Observer
04/09/2019 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Mt. Judah

Donner Summit Area
Thin melting crust over wet deep wet snow on an E aspect at 10 am. No more crust just deep wet snow by noon on the same E aspect. Ski cut triggered loose wet sluff on a nearby E aspect at noon. Firm scoured rain crust near Wildflower Ridge Variable dust on crust and exposed crust conditions. The weather was a mix of snow squalls and sun. Forecaster
04/08/2019 - 23:00

Avalanche Observation
Donner Peak

Donner Summit Area
Forecaster
04/08/2019 - 23:00

Avalanche Observation
Mt Judah

Donner Summit Area
Cornice collapses that triggered loose wet avalanches and a slab failure The other side of the slab Debris at the bottom of the slope form both loose wet and the slab avalanche Another cornice failure near the true summit of Judah. Large chunks of debris at the bottom of this slope. Forecaster
04/08/2019 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Incline Lake Peak

Mount Rose Area
Small loose wet avalanches easily triggered on small test slopes, 11am, E aspect. 2x ECTP failing on top of old crust.  14'' deep total, with 8'' wind slab and 6'' of less dense snow below all on top of old crust. 1 cornice drop failed down to wind slab then down through less dense snow to crust-you can see step down in photo.  Failure did not propagate beyond cornice chuck dropped. Skipen over knee deep at 8700' on E aspect at 11:30am. Full cloud cover with cloud deck around 10,000'. Forecaster

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