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
02/01/2019 - 10:30

Snowpack Observation
Jakes

West Shore Area
Public
01/31/2019 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Stevens Peak

Carson Pass Area
4mm surface hoar on N aspect terrain showing signs of lasting through the day. Shallow surface facets on NNE aspect terrain, unaffected by previous melt. We were breaking trail for this skin track. Forecaster
01/31/2019 - 12:15

Snowpack Observation
Jake's Peak

West Shore Area
Public
01/31/2019 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Castle Peak

Donner Summit Area
Professional Observer
01/31/2019 - 10:15

Snowpack Observation
Johnson Canyon

Donner Summit Area
2 inches of corn on a supportable melt-freeze layer on a W aspect at 1:15 Crack in the snowpack as a cornice pulls away from the ridge. Forecaster
01/30/2019 - 15:00

Snowpack Observation
Rose Knob

Mount Rose Area
Public
01/30/2019 - 13:30

Snowpack Observation
Scotts Lake

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Melting snow surfaces exposed to full sun. View of the S face of Waterhouse Peak Breakable crust present in some areas that receive partial shade Observation wall of the snowprofile highlighting the layer of buried surface hoar Pieces of buried surface hoar on the underside of a slab from a CT test Public
01/30/2019 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Angora Peak

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Professional Observer
01/30/2019 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Jakes Peak

West Shore Area
1 to 2 inches of corn on a supportable surface at 11:15 am on a S aspect. 2 to 3 inches of corn snow on a supportable surface at 12:15 on the same S aspect. Cloud cover moved into the area around 1 pm and you can still see sunlight glinting off of exposed crusts in the distance. Smoke cloud with a flat top showing the height of the morning's inversion. Forecaster
01/30/2019 - 11:45

Snowpack Observation
Rose Knob Peak

Mount Rose Area
Ascending through 7,900' on open ESE aspect terrain at 10:15 am found 4 cm wet snow on top of 12 cm of 1 F hard melt-freeze crust. Open fracture behind cornice at ~8,900'. Conditions becoming unsupportable to travel on skis in treed SE aspect terrain at ~7,600' at 11:45 am. Forecaster
01/29/2019 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Slide Mountain

Mount Rose Area
After a period of morning sun the clouds rolled back into the area around 11 am. It looked like periods of sun also occurred in the afternoon hours. Ankle to boot-top deep wet snow on solar aspects below 8200 ft. Below 8000 ft. numerous shrubs and bushes still remained exposed. Forecaster
01/28/2019 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Castle Peak

Donner Summit Area
Looking south down the Sierra Crest.  High level cloud cover preventing widespread snow surface softening Forecaster
01/28/2019 - 10:30

Snowpack Observation
Stevens Peak

Carson Pass Area
Cloudy skies kept the snow surfaces firm and frozen. Mostly supportable but sometimes breakable sun crusts existed on E aspects. Firm uneven surfaces including exposed rain crusts existed on E-NE aspects. Small pinwheels and rollerballs triggered by a ski cut on an ENE facing slope around 8200 ft. Forecaster
01/27/2019 - 14:30

Snowpack Observation
White Rock Lake and surrounding are

Independence Lake Area
Public
01/26/2019 - 14:45

Snowpack Observation
The Grills AKA Tom's Meadow

Independence Lake Area
Public

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