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
02/14/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
02/14/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt, Judah
Donner Summit Area 		South side of Mt. Judah still holding pretty good snow coverage. Soft snow formed on southerly aspects in the late morning hours providing good conditions. Many aspects were cold and frozen and did not soften during our tour. Looking south along the Sierra Crest Forecaster
02/13/2022 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Judah Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
02/13/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mount Houghton
Mount Rose Area 		Differential snow melt conditions on SE aspect near 9,600'. ~2" of snow softening on SE aspect around 9,600' at Noon. Sign of the times... Mount Houghton summit 10,480'. Stark contrast between N and S aspects. View from Mount Houghton looking West. Bare foreground on S facing terrain and snow covered N aspects in the background. Mount Rose S face. Public
02/13/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Fourth of July Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Looking towards the south faces of the Carson Pass area with Caples Lake in front, L-R: Little Roundtop, Black Butte, then Stevens and Red Lake Peak This photo doesn't capture how overhung the snow was here. I'm assuming some wind and differential melting combo. Looking south at the north faces around Mokelumne Peak (on the right) and a slice of Bear Valley. The south and west face of the Sisters. 4 cm boot penetration on a flat aspect next to Fourth of July Lake Looking up at the varied coverage on the east bowl of Peak 9795 next to Melissa Coray Peak. The more west facing this generally south facing terrain was, the more roughly textured the snow surface was. Professional Observer
02/12/2022 - 12:23
Snowpack Observation 		Mount Tallac
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		near surface faceting, about 3cms. Significantly deeper in other higher areas heavy glopping closer look at some facets Public
02/12/2022 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Jakes Peak
West Shore Area 		Snow keeps melting on sun-exposed southerly aspects. Patchy snow coverage at lower elevations on S aspects 1-3 inches of soft wet corn snow on sun exposed SE-S aspects Still plenty of snow on N aspects in Desolation Uneven snow surfaces formed by differential melting. Forecaster
02/11/2022 - 13:30
Snowpack Observation 		Iron Mountain
Outside of the Forecast Area 		Snow Pit Compression Column Column broke at weaker layer Public
02/11/2022 - 13:05
Snowpack Observation 		Pickett Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Small debris pile of wet surface snow failing on facets below. Well preserved surface hoar intact in isolated areas. Shovel tilt test with planar crust above facets. 2-3" of boot pen @ 8500' @ 1330. Shallow snow on south aspects of Freel Peak. Professional Observer
02/11/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stevens Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Percolation tubs indicating water draining vertically through the snowpack. Uneven snow surfaces caused by differential melting. Small pinwheel triggered by a ski cut on a sunny SSE facing slope Variable snow surfaces Shady aspects still hold good snow coverage while snow is melting quickly on the sunny aspects. Forecaster
02/10/2022 - 12:29
Snowpack Observation 		Echo Peak
Echo Summit Area 		Solar affected "corn flake snow" rode well when warm and loose. Diminishing snow near the summit of Angora Peak. Shallow snow pack in areas is starting to expose rock moats and manzanita bushes. Widespread wind affect across Mt. Ralston. Firm wind affected snow around the summit of Echo. Professional Observer
02/10/2022 - 11:50
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		NW aspect near treeline avalanche path where we dug our snowpit. One inch plus of surface wet snow at midday on ESE (115 deg) aspect terrain. This was present even with a light to moderate speed NE wind. Forecaster
02/09/2022 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		Bear Valley
Little Truckee Summit Areas 		Blowing snow on the Grills Near Surface facets on a NW aspect @ 7800' Affects of prolonged sun and warming on a southerly aspect @ 8000' Weak upper snowpack structure on a NW aspect @ 7800' another shot of near surface facets Educator
West Wind Collecti
02/09/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
02/09/2022 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Valley
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
International Alpine Guid

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