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
12/21/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Wind loaded test slopes showing unreactive slabs. Minor cracking on old/new snow interface while breaking trail. Skier triggered rollerballs after about 2 hrs of very light rain. Forecaster
12/21/2018 - 09:15
Snowpack Observation 		Powderhouse
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Natural roller ball activity below treeline on Luther Pass. A good number of tree bombs were falling as snow became saturated. Widespread cracking near and above treeline. Very reactive wind slabs on small test slopes. Looking down this small test slope at the bed surface, stauch wall, and debris. Looking across bed surface at crown and flanks. Professional Observer
12/20/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Active wind transport filling in the skin track near the ridge at 7800'. Thin wind slabs not showing much reactivity with snowpack tests. Forecaster
12/20/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Lake Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Very small amounts of blowing snow observed on foreground ridge, just above the highest trees. Transport occurring only during gusts to 60 mph. Rose Knob Peak No signs of blowing snow with ridge wind avg 40 mph, gusts to 60 mph on nearby Slide sensor. Ridgeline to the NW of Incline Lake Peak. This is the maximum extent of any cracking we saw today in areas of wind slab. 1 cm of wind drifted snow in our skin track set 2 hours prior. Forecaster
12/20/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Shirley Canyon
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		New Cornice In Shirley Canyon Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
12/20/2018 - 09:45
Snowpack Observation 		E side Rose Knob Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Educator
Donner Summit Avalanche Semina
12/19/2018 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		Frog Lake Ridge
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
12/19/2018 - 13:45
Snowpack Observation 		West ridge of peak 9,422’
Carson Pass Area 		Public
12/19/2018 - 11:30
Avalanche Observation 		Ellis Peak
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Intentionally triggered wind slab avalanche, D1. Another photo of same avalanche. Forecaster
12/19/2018 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		Shooting Cracks in Wind loaded area Near Treeline Public
12/19/2018 - 09:00
Snowpack Observation 		N of Twin Sentinels
Carson Pass Area 		Public
12/18/2018 - 15:00
Avalanche Observation 		After Party
Independence Lake Area 		Public
12/18/2018 - 13:00
Avalanche Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		These wind slab avalanches along Mt. Judah were thought to have occurred mid morning. Shooting cracks in wind loaded terrain on small test slopes at lower elevation. Skier triggered reactive windslabs along Wildflower Ridge. Multiple natural wind slab avalanches along the East Face of Mt. Judah. All D1 in size. Wind slab avalanches along Mt. Judah were up to 1-2' deep, but did not extend very far downslope. Forecaster
12/18/2018 - 10:15
Avalanche Observation 		Shirley Canyon
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Shooting Crack Small windslab avalanche Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
12/17/2018 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Small windslab under 4cm of soft snow cracking The wind affected layer that broke in the previous photo. Soft snow removed on left side to show the slab. ECTN 12 @ the new windslab layer. Public

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