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
12/21/2022 - 11:36
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Small surface hoar development above 8500'. Wind affected snow in open areas. Fist hard snow in top 20cms of snow on shaded aspects. Over hanging cornice development on E-SE ridge line. Moderate sized pinwheel formation on small test slope on SW aspect. Breakable wind slab @ 8500' on E aspect. Professional Observer
12/21/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Large, up to 2cm, surface hoar on north aspects around 7200-7500'. 10-15cms on near surface facets on North aspects. Warming conditions by midday with wet sticky snow. Forecaster
12/20/2022 - 14:14
Snowpack Observation 		Shirley Canyon
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Surface hoar with our overnight trace of new snow on top of it. Educator
Alpenglow Expeditio
12/20/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Sierra Crest between Lincoln and Anderson
Donner Summit Area 		The dusting on new snow buried surface hoar in areas below 7500 ft. A ski cut triggered this surface hoar sluff on a steep N facing slope at 7200 ft. Some Light blowing snow on the Sierra Crest. Wind sculpted snow and scoured areas on the windward side of the ridge. Some very small drifts of wind blown snow formed near the ridge. Cones around trees showing how much the snow has settled since the last storm. Tree bombs disturbed the surface snow. Forecaster
12/20/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Lake Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Above freezing temperatures in the late morning with the cloud layer at 9500". F hard near surface facets in the top 10cm of surface snow. These facets were moist, but still provide good travel conditions. Previous wind transport covering up an existing skin track. Clearing skies with cooling temperatures by early afternoon. Forecaster
12/19/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Janine Peak (Peak 9579')
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Minimal recent wind affect on the snow surface above treeline on N-NE-E aspects. Large surface hoar near 7,000' in the Cascade Creek drainage. Building cloud cover over the Crystal Range. Breakable crust near 8,200' on S aspect terrain above Azure Lake. Forecaster
12/18/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Hidden Peak
West Shore Area 		Surface hoar and surface facets in the top 1-2 cm of the snowpack in heavily shaded areas. Impressive settlement cones in excess of one foot. A few lingering clouds low down over the lake at the inversion layer. Wet snow and a sun crust on a SE aspect at 8,400'. Forecaster
12/18/2022 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Fulstone Canyon
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Public
12/17/2022 - 23:00
Snowpack Observation 		Carpenter Ridge
Independence Lake Area 		Public
12/17/2022 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Deep Creek
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
12/17/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Above Monument Pass
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Public
12/16/2022 - 13:04
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
12/16/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Echo Peak
Echo Summit Area 		Thin, fragile sun crust on E aspect at 7,700'. Surface hoar 5 to 20 mm on NE aspects below treeline. The largest SH was near the valley floor. Settlement cones indicating about 1 foot of settlement post storm. SH and near surface facets in the top few cm of the snowpack on a heavily shaded NE aspect around 7,000'. The top 2 cm of the snowpack were dry and did not clump in the hand. Forecaster
12/15/2022 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Peak 9200
Mount Rose Area 		Public
12/15/2022 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Scouring along the NE side of the ridgetop by NE winds. Minor amounts of drifting snow over the ridgetop. A large natural cornice collapse from during the last storm. Looked like an avalanche at first glance, but no flanks or avalanche debris, only cornice chunks. Forecaster

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