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
04/29/2022 - 10:30

Avalanche Observation
Mt Tallac - Cathedral Bowl

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Rock band point releases from earlier in the week Overhanging cornices Public
04/25/2022 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Round Top Peak

Carson Pass Area
Public
04/22/2022 - 14:30

Avalanche Observation
Flagpole Peak

Echo Summit Area
Loose Wet Avalanche on Flagpole Peak Professional Observer
04/22/2022 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Castle Peak

Donner Summit Area
Crown line profile showing no results on wind slab avalanche activity from yesterday. Many cornice kicks and ski cuts produced some entrainment of new snow, but no propagation. Crown line profile showing no ECTN results on storm slab instability from yesterday.  About 1' of new snow covering up crown and bed surface. Natural wind slab avalanche on the North side of Castle Peak that occurred yesteday. Some minor roller balls developing through the day off of rocks on Donner Summit. Forecaster
04/21/2022 - 12:00

Avalanche Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
The first storm slab we triggered on a road cut along the Castle Rd. Remotely triggered storm slab from 50 feet away in low angle terrain to the side. This avalanche connected to more avalanches another 500' beyond. Connected avalanche. This storm slab avalanche was connected and a part of a 600' wide propagation. Wind slab avalanche triggered from the summit of Andesite. It continued all the way and beyond the slopes out of view to the right as well as propagation across the rest of the terrain to the left. This wind slab was a part of about 700' of propagation that connected multiple paths together. Forecaster
04/21/2022 - 11:19

Snowpack Observation
Powderhouse peak

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Soft powdery conditions from the trailhead @ 7700'. Mid storm graupel event. Ski cut on soft wind slab at ridgeline. Soft wind slab on wind loaded feature above 9000'. 8-10" of new snow @ 9300'. Professional Observer
04/20/2022 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Rubicon Peak

West Shore Area
Thinning snowcover at the trailhead that improves above 7,200'. Signs of wind effect as we moved into near treeline terrain. Unreactive wind slabs that only cracked when this close to an undercut. Rollerballs and pinwheels in NNE aspect terrain around 8,100'. Natural rollerballs below cliffs looking west into Desolation Wilderness. Forecaster
04/20/2022 - 11:10

Snowpack Observation
Round Top

Carson Pass Area
Looking across at Red Lake Peak. Soft wind slab on small terrain feature, stubborn with no propagation. Breakable melt freeze crust on the surface early on the tour. Small debris pile from ski cut wind slab. Wet loose surface snow on solar aspects later in the day. Professional Observer
04/20/2022 - 10:00

Snowpack Observation
Galena and Tamarack Ridges

Mount Rose Area
Public
04/19/2022 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Donner Summit Area
Wind slab failure triggered by a ski kick on an E-ENE facing test slope. Skier triggered wind-slab failure on a wind-loaded test slope. Skier triggered shooting cracks on a wind-loaded test slope. About 6 inches of new snow on top of a thin melt freeze crust with a deep layer of wet snow below it. Minor cracking around my skis in sheltered terrain. Forecaster
04/19/2022 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Tamarack Peak

Mount Rose Area
Public
04/18/2022 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Yuba Pass

Yuba Pass Area
Ankle deep wet snow on an E aspect at 11 am. A thin melt freeze crust in the shade was all that was left from last night's refreeze at 11:30 am. Runnels in the snow surface indicating good drainage. Small roller balls and pinwheels on a sunny E-NE facing slope at 11:30 am. Ski cuts on sunny slopes triggered small roller balls and pinwheels before noon. Forecaster
04/17/2022 - 14:46

Avalanche Observation
Round top

Carson Pass Area
Natural wind slab South Lake Tahoe backcountry Wind slab near tree line Lake Tahoe backcountry Mitpit 20cm Q1 wind slab Guide

Blackbird Mountain Guid
04/17/2022 - 12:00

Avalanche Observation
Barker pass

Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Public
04/17/2022 - 11:00

Avalanche Observation
Donner Pass

Donner Summit Area
Forecaster

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