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
03/29/2021 - 13:50
Snowpack Observation 		Elephant's Back
Carson Pass Area 		Melt Freeze crusts in shaded areas. Boot Pen @ 5cm on S facing aspect. Brush and rocks exposed on solar aspects. Boot Pen @ 10-20cm on S facing aspect @ 8000' Professional Observer
03/28/2021 - 10:50
Snowpack Observation 		Silver Peak
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area 		Pinwheels and rollerballs intentionally triggered by a ski cut on a E aspect around 7,800' at 10:50 am. 3 to 4 inch thick surface refreeze overnight on open slopes at 7,300'. Thin surface melt-freeze crust over recent storm snow on N aspect at 7,800'. Very small natural wet loose avalanche from yesterday (3/27) on a NE aspect at around 7,500'. Forecaster
03/27/2021 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Steven's Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Pinwheel triggered by ski turn on E aspect at about 8,300'. Surface wet snow on moderate slope angle N aspect at about 8,000' Cornice immediately south of Steven's Peak, heavily NE wind scoured but still capable of collapse. Forecaster
03/27/2021 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Loose wet activity under ski cut on test slope, East aspect around 7700' at 11:30am Loose wet activity under ski cut on test slope, East aspect around 7700' at 11:30am. Pole is 130cm. Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
03/26/2021 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
03/26/2021 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		NE wind scouring in near treeline terrain Wind scouring in below treeline terrain Firm snow at 11am on south side of Judah Forecaster
03/25/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Horse Meadow
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Professional Observer
03/25/2021 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Light NE wind scouring on NE aspects near ridgeline Increasing clouds throughout the morning Thin melt freeze crusts developing on sun exposed slopes Forecaster
03/24/2021 - 12:15
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak and Andesite Ridge
Donner Summit Area 		NE wind scouring extened across the ridge and down onto the west side of the ridge. Some skier triggered roller balls and loose wet snow on a steep SE facing aspect at 12:15 pm. Small skier triggered pinwheels on a sunny slope around noon. Hard wind packed slab sitting on soft snow. The wind slab was thin here and behaved more like a breakable crust. Thick (up to 2 ft) hard wind slab created by the NE winds on a W aspect. Jumping on this slope did not trigger failure even when we undercut it. ECTN testing the wind slab. It was pencil hard slab on top of 4-finger soft snow. CT 18 on the interface between the pencil hard wind slab and the 4-finger snow below it. Wind scoured surfaces and wind sculpted features were everywhere on near and above treeline slopes. Wnd scouring and sculpting also extend into near and below treeline areas. Forecaster
03/24/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		The Sisters
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
03/24/2021 - 10:30
Snowpack Observation 		Powderhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Wind scoured snow on Powderhouse Peak Wind scoured snow on Powderhouse Peak Snow by skin track (3/21/2021) with hoar frost Snow by skin track (3/24/2021) with no hoar frost Public
03/23/2021 - 12:45
Snowpack Observation 		Andesite Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Public
03/23/2021 - 12:05
Snowpack Observation 		Waterhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		5 inches of new snow in a wind protected open area off the edge of Grass Lake. High sun angle getting well into low to moderate slope angle N aspect terrain. As we approached treeline, our tracks in the new snow became more shallow with NE wind scouring. Intense blowing and drifting snow on the ridgetop. Intense blowing and drifting snow on the ridgetop. Forecaster
03/22/2021 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Slab Cliffs
Mount Rose Area 		Low cloud layer throughout the day Cracking in wind loaded terrain Cornices are built out, but have gained some strength with only the top layer failing with ski kicks Crusts forming over the weekend from sun and warming temperatures on multiple aspects Forecaster
03/22/2021 - 09:10
Snowpack Observation 		Rubicon Peak
West Shore Area 		Public

Pages