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
12/10/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Relay Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Small snow squall moving into the area. Small cornice piece dropped onto a test slope with no results. Forecaster
12/10/2018 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Maggie's Peak
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Open area at 8400 feet on ridge between Maggie's Peaks showing NSFs but no Surface Hoar. Professional Observer
12/09/2018 - 14:00
Avalanche Observation 		Mt. Tallac
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Forecaster
12/09/2018 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		E of Boreal ski area
Donner Summit Area 		Educator
Donner Summit Avalanche Semina
12/09/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Surface hoar failing on an artificially loaded PST. Crusts on windward slopes preventing wind transport of snow with moderate SW winds. Windward SE-S-SW aspects have limited snow in this area. Forecaster
12/09/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle - Basin Peak Area
Donner Summit Area 		Wind slab failure on buried surface hoar on a wind-loaded test slope. Shooting cracks triggered by a ski cut on a near treeline wind-loaded test slope. This slab failed on buried surface hoar. Large surface hoar on the snow surface in a sheltered area , Forecaster
12/09/2018 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Outlined areas show observed wide spread surface hoar growth of >3mm Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/08/2018 - 14:15
Snowpack Observation 		Johnson Canyon
Donner Summit Area 		Visual outline of the snowpack on NE Aspect @ 7300' 2-4mm Surface Hoar, these grains seemed to have some sort of icey deposit on them Side profile of current Surface Hoar Cornice cuts produced small loose dry avalanches Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
12/08/2018 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Elephant's Hump
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
12/08/2018 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Extended column test with no failure, Snow pack was 125cm Surface hoar was seen almost everywhere, except for the most sunny areas. Public
12/08/2018 - 10:45
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Surface hoar still present on the summit ridge of Judah indicating that the winds did not get strong enough to destroy it last night. Ski tracks on the windward side of Judah indicating that soft snow is still available for transport if the winds increase. Forecaster
12/07/2018 - 12:30
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Very large surface hoar was widespread in the Tamarack Peak area. More surface hoar on in an open area on Tamarack Peak Early season conditions still exist especially at the lower elevations. Forecaster
12/07/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		West Grouse
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area 		SE aspect below Grouse Rock. 10cm artificial slab created PST 20/100 end on 12/4 SH layer. New surface hoar of 5 to 10 cm seen in West Grouse area. Forecaster
12/06/2018 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		8-10mm surface hoar in Round Valley at 7900'. Rimmed surface snow above 8000', up to 10mm in size. Forecaster
12/06/2018 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Fog conditions below 7,700'. Sunny skies above the inversion layer. Rimed surface snow and plenty of snow available on W aspects for future wind transport. Rimed surface snow. Rimed surface snow. Forecaster

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