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
04/04/2021 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		S aspects provided good spring snow at 11am. S aspects were unsupportable before noon. Guide
Tahoe Mountain Scho
04/04/2021 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		Shin deep wet snow on an E aspect of Rubicon at ~ 8100 ft at 10:30 am Wet snow and small roller balls on an E aspect near the summit of Rubicon Firm and uneven snow surfaces on the upper elevation N aspects of Rubicon Thin refreeze crust on top of wet transistional snow on mid and lower elevation N aspects on Rubicon. By 11 am this thin refreeze crust had melted. Forecaster
04/04/2021 - 10:20
Snowpack Observation 		Crater Lake
Carson Pass Area 		Roller balls on the east face of slope View of cornices on ridge just south of Stevens Peak Reduced cornices further south of Stevens Peak as well as wind blown crusty hard snow Wind blown and melted snow near ridge line Dry ridge line between Red Lake and Stevens Peak (looking south) Public
04/04/2021 - 09:00
Avalanche Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Public
04/03/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Relay Peak
Mount Rose Area 		SE aspect at 9,000' at 11 am starting to loose boot supportability. Ridgetop area near rocks and bushes that was poorly refrozen. The snow surface in many areas is becoming increasingly rough on higher traffic slopes. Forecaster
04/02/2021 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Shin deep wet snow on a S aspect on Mt. Judah at 11 am. Small ski-cut triggered sluffs of wet snow. Small wet snow instbalities on a small test slope. Wet snow on top of the remnants of last night's refreeze on top of more wet snow. Slightly thicker crust in more shaded areas. Wet snow still existed below the crust. Forecaster
04/01/2021 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		South Side Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		South side Castle Peak S side gully features N side of Castle still wind scoured, transitional, with some winter snow. Small roller balls by noon on E aspects Wet and deep snow developing on E aspects by noon Forecaster
04/01/2021 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Elephants Back
Carson Pass Area 		Solid frozen surface conditions at 8am in an opening of trees at 8700 feet. Roundtop looking good. Cornice over Elephants Graveyard. No significant recent broken chunks observed. Steep E and NE terrain on Elephants Back at 9400 feet holding firm winter snow. Much softer conditions around 8600 feet and below tree line. Lower in the trees roller balls were occurring on S, E, and NE aspects. Professional Observer
04/01/2021 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt Tallac
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		In the trees I could push the basket side of my ski pole past the supportable crust layer. The snow was impenetrable to skis on my approach, and was still supportable but sticky on my exit at 11am. Lots of texture in the snow above treeline, which may develop into sun cups with continued warm temps. The main South Bowl had previous tracks and fallen cornice chunks, but there were still smooth lines available. Nearing my transition point around 10am, the snow in a wind sheltered gully was becoming wet 3-4" from the surface. Professional Observer
03/31/2021 - 13:10
Snowpack Observation 		Meiss Meadow
Carson Pass Area 		Melt freeze crust @ 8000' on westerly aspect. Old wind effected snow that was softening. Exposed hazards mid-slope. Breakable crust in shaded areas of trees on E-NE aspects. Rocky ridgeline and depleting cornices above Meiss meadow. Professional Observer
03/31/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Houghton and Tamarack Peaks
Mount Rose Area 		Public
03/31/2021 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Frozen surfaces on N Apsects Wet snow on sunny slopes and previous wet loose instabilities. 1-3 inches of soft wet snow on a SE aspect at 8000 ft. Looking acorss at wind-scoured snow and raised tracks on E and NE aspects. Wet snow on sunny SE aspects and still frozen snow on N aspects. Forecaster
03/30/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Peak
Mount Rose Area 		3'' surface melt freeze crust at noted Lat/Long. SE/E side of Incline Peak with decreasing snow coverage North aspects stayed firm and cold with strong NE winds blowing on them. Forecaster
03/30/2021 - 10:00
Snowpack Observation 		Raslton/Talking ridge
Echo Summit Area 		Professional Observer
03/29/2021 - 23:30
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Pk
West Shore Area 		Skier triggered roller balls on wind protected below treeline E aspect near 8,700' at 11:40 am. Very poor overnight refreeze under forest canopy on N aspect at around 7,000' at 10 am. More than a few inches of surface wet snow near 8,600' on E aspect open below terrain at 11:45 am. Forecaster

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