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
12/17/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Round valley
Donner Summit Area 		New small cornice broke easily under a ski kick. Wind blown snow texture on NW side of ridge to Castle. On a few steeper switchbacks cracks propagated. Professional Observer
12/17/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Small ski kick triggered wind slab on the edge of a wind loaded slope in near treeline terrain. Ski cuts triggered loose dry sluffs with the new snow sliding on the old near surface facets. Forecaster
12/17/2018 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Lola
Independence Lake Area 		Active wind transport along ridge line @ 8000' Small loose dry avalanche Storm hung up on the HWY49/Yuba river drainage Public
12/16/2018 - 16:30
Snowpack Observation 		Below Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/16/2018 - 14:30
Snowpack Observation 		Powderhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Increasing clouds and some light precipitation over the Sierra Crest in the late afternoon. ECTX when testing the lower layers of the snowpack. Forecaster
12/16/2018 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Wind Transport on Castle Ridge Guide
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/16/2018 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		In a few locations we found small pockets of wind slab overlaying faceted snow. Evidence of previous blowing rocks on a lee slope. Professional Observer
12/16/2018 - 10:00
Avalanche Observation 		Frog Lake into Red Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Slide path 50yds from where avalanche was triggered The larger snow block is the size of a compact car for reference Public
12/15/2018 - 14:15
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Lake Peak (Ginny Drainage)
Mount Rose Area 		Public
12/15/2018 - 14:15
Snowpack Observation 		Johnson Canyon
Donner Summit Area 		Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/15/2018 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Pass
Donner Summit Area 		Public
12/15/2018 - 12:45
Snowpack Observation 		Slab Cliffs
Mount Rose Area 		Skier triggered cracking in a small shallow slab on a wind-loaded pocket. Clouds moving into the area ahead of tomorrow night's storm. Forecaster
12/15/2018 - 12:15
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak NE Face
Donner Summit Area 		NE Slopes on Castle Peak Steep entrance with cornice NE face access trough hole in rock band Large cornices on N ridge Public
12/15/2018 - 09:30
Snowpack Observation 		Trimmer Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Small wind slabs in below tree line areas Long shooting crack in near treeline area. About 300' down from ridge. Public
12/14/2018 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Twin Peaks
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		Lenticular clouds and some wind transport along the Sierra Crest near Twin Peaks. ECT test with no fractures from a near treeline line test slope. Small wind pillow with some cracking. The wind slab only extended a few feet downslope. Forecaster

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