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
01/15/2023 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		D1 Wind slab failure on a wind-loaded test slope. Looking at the same test slope failure from the other side. The wind slab failed on a layer of softer storm snow. It was about 10 to 15 inches thick. Ski kicks on some wind-loaded test slope produced 15-20 ft long shooting cracks. Minor cracking in the storm snow on a small test slope sheltered from the wind. Intense blowing snow along the ridgelines. Some signs of settlement in the recent snow. Public
01/15/2023 - 11:40
Avalanche Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		Storm Slab Avalanche (Location at map pin) Public
01/15/2023 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon
West Shore Area 		Public
01/15/2023 - 10:41
Avalanche Observation 		Tallac skiers right east face
West Shore Area 		Public
01/15/2023 - 05:23
Avalanche Observation 		Mount Tallac
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Fresh avalanche crown around 7000' on east aspect, below the other crown Public
01/15/2023 - 02:18
Snowpack Observation 		Near Webber lake
Little Truckee Summit Areas 		Public
01/14/2023 - 13:00
Avalanche Observation 		Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		Recent natural wind slab avalanche test slope shooting crack test slope avalanche Guide
Blackbird Mountain Guid
01/14/2023 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Powder House
Carson Pass Area 		Public
01/14/2023 - 09:43
Avalanche Observation 		Paulsen's Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
01/14/2023 - 09:30
Snowpack Observation 		Tamarack Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Public
01/14/2023 - 02:29
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
01/14/2023 - 02:15
Avalanche Observation 		Echo Peak
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Public
01/14/2023 - 01:00
Avalanche Observation 		Webber Peak
Little Truckee Summit Areas 		Shooting crack. Fracture depth ~60cm to our most recent rain layer. We experienced consistent cracking on F+ over F hard upside down storm snow. Wind slab test slope triggered by ski kick. Another view of test slope wind slab failure. Red arrow indicates the far edge of avx in the previous image which sympathetically triggered the wind slab in the foreground. Strong to gale force winds transporting snow. Perazzo Meadows overlook. Deep snow and lots of wind evidence. Public
01/13/2023 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Frog Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Graupel on the surface, pooling in depressions and on leeward slopes Some early stage faceting under the surface crust - most prominent on slopes open to the night sky One of a few cornice failures that led to small avalanches Cornice pieces were still big ~200ft downslope from where they originated Professional Observer
01/13/2023 - 11:59
Snowpack Observation 		Stormy Conditions On Luther Pass.
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Rain Runnels @ 7800'. Breakable 2-3cm melt freeze crust @ 7800' on W aspect. Soft snow in open areas. Period of graupel falling from the sky at 9200'. Planar result on compression test 65cm down. Small grains with vertical growth at 65cm down @ compression failure. Professional Observer

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