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
01/20/2017 - 15:45

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
D2 Wind slab avalanche triggered by a small cornice piece
Small avalanche triggered by a larger piece of cornice
Cracking in the storm snow on in below treeline terrain
Forecaster
01/20/2017 - 10:30

Avalanche Observation
Jakes Peak

West Shore Area
Skier triggered wind slab avalanche.  Crown line test pit on right.
Skier triggered wind slab.  Crown up to 2' deep.  7800', NE aspect.
Test Pit at 8200', NE aspect.  ECTN's.  HST=95cm.
Forecaster
01/19/2017 - 14:30

Avalanche Observation
Tram Ridge / Shirley canyon

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Skier triggered storm slab avalanche_20170119
Guide

Alpenglow Expeditio
01/19/2017 - 11:00

Avalanche Observation
Jakes Peak

West Shore Area
Small (D1) natural storm slab avalnche.  7700', NE aspect,4-6'' deep.
Skier triggered storm slab on small test slope.
Another small natural storm slab avalanche.  8700', NE aspect, 4-6'' deep.
One of numerous trees with avalanche debris and broken branches from previous larger avalanches in this area.
Small (D1) storm slab avalanche over skin track.  8800', NE aspect.
Forecaster
01/18/2017 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Castle Peak

Donner Summit Area
Skier triggered wind slab @ 11am.  8300', N/NW aspect, 6-8'' crown line.Cornice formation along ridge at 10:30am.Debris from small wind slab failure. Forecaster
01/18/2017 - 09:30

Snowpack Observation
Elephant's Hump

Carson Pass Area
2-3cm crust over softer snowWet surface snow easily clumps togetherThis was the shallowest location I observed with the pole basket sitting on the old rain crust .Newly formed surface crust Professional Observer
01/17/2017 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Becker Peak

Echo Summit Area
Forecaster
01/17/2017 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Kinney Lakes

Ebbetts Pass Area
Professional Observer
01/17/2017 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Stanford Rock

Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
1/12 rain crust at 6700' on North aspect2-3mm surface hoar below 7000'.  In areas near creek up to 2-3cm in size. Forecaster
01/16/2017 - 13:20

Snowpack Observation
Poison Canyon

Bear Valley Area
Public
01/16/2017 - 12:50

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Ridge

Donner Summit Area
Guide

Tahoe Mountain Scho
01/16/2017 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Powderhouse

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Big settlement cone showing that an impressive amount of settlement has occurred.North facing open upper elevation locations in this area have very uncohesive soft near surface facets, but surface hoar was noticeably absent.Lower elevation open locations did feature large surface hoar. Lower elevation open locations did feature large surface hoar. Professional Observer
01/16/2017 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Trimmer Peak

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Professional Observer
01/16/2017 - 10:28

Snowpack Observation
Tallac

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Snow transport over tallacs summit N bowl Public
01/16/2017 - 10:00

Snowpack Observation
Herlan Peak

East Shore Area
Avalanche debris on the uphill side of trees.Blowing snow in the distance on Freel Peak. Forecaster

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