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
01/08/2020 - 12:00
Avalanche Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
01/08/2020 - 10:30
Avalanche Observation 		Mt Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Wind Loaded Pillow Intentionally triggered wind slab avalanche Intentionally triggered wind slab avalanche Intentionally triggered wind slab avalanche Professional Observer
01/07/2020 - 14:00
Snowpack Observation 		Elephant's Hump
Carson Pass Area 		Professional Observer
01/07/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Surface Hoar right next to Hwy 88. Surface Hoar growing in lowest clearing along Crater Lake road. Previous loose wet activity. Impressive to see this smooth icy sheen on a north facing slope. Hand hardness on a north facing slope near 8800 feet. The crust was strong but brittle and I struggled to cut it with my saw without breaking it. It also moved very easily on the NSFs below. Professional Observer
01/07/2020 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Meeks Ridge
West Shore Area 		Jan 4 rain crust with advanced facets below crust. Forecaster
01/06/2020 - 13:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		North aspect mix of wind drifted snow and crust Coarse grained faceted snow Faceted grains South aspect mix of crust and soft snow Professional Observer
01/06/2020 - 11:45
Snowpack Observation 		Rose Knob
Mount Rose Area 		Upper Rose Knob with supportable snow conditions above 8000'. At 8000' and below, deeper wet snow existed by 12 noon. Previous small point releases on SW aspects near 8000'. Previous small additional loose wet activity. Jan 4 rain crust. Variable from strong and up to 2'' thick to thin and breakable. Facets developing below the crust. Forecaster
01/05/2020 - 13:30
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Pass / Andesite peak
Donner Summit Area 		1mm surface hoar , NW aspect on andesite peak Educator
Tahoe Mountain Scho
01/05/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Alpenglow Expeditio
01/05/2020 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Horse Canyon (Bear Valley)
Bear Valley Area 		Public
01/05/2020 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Slide Mountain
Mount Rose Area 		Soft supportable spring snow on southerly aspects below 8600'. Open areas near treeline terrain with wind scouring. S side of Slide with mostly adequate snow coverage. Thin surface rain crust with buried surface hoar and facets below crust. Forecaster
01/04/2020 - 13:15
Snowpack Observation 		Waterhouse Peak
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) 		Breakable crust on partially shaded NE 8500 foot slope. Limited snow coverage on SE aspect of Waterhouse summit area. Open east facing slopes on this ridge featured impressive sasgrugi and scoured surfaces. Surface quality became smoother as the slope angle increased. Breakable crust on this open east facing aspect at 9000 feet. Professional Observer
01/04/2020 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Lincoln Ridge
Yuba Pass Area 		Fragile cornice with unreactive 4 inch thick wind slab below. Forecaster
01/03/2020 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Incline Lake Peak
Mount Rose Area 		Professional Observer
01/03/2020 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Snow surface melting occurred on southerly aspects despite this mid to high level cloud shield during the morning hours. A half to one inch of surface wet snow over supportable wind pack at 11am, S aspect at about 8,200'. Once the rain and melt/freeze crust had melted away, ski and foot pen increased into the dry snow below. Wind protected E aspect at about 7,900'. Once the rain and melt/freeze crust had melted away, ski and foot pen increased into the dry snow below. Wind protected E aspect at about 7,900'. Forecaster

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