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
03/18/2019 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Red Lake Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Small loose wet avalanches on gully feature just below 9000' at noon. Cold wind blown snow exists on NW-N aspects in this area at 9600' with no signs of surface melt. Forecaster
03/18/2019 - 10:45
Snowpack Observation 		Janine's Ridge
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay) 		Cold wintry snow lingered in a few shady high elevation zones. In sunny areas several inches of transitioning wet snow was present by late morning. Many steep sunny slopes had evidence of recent previous loose wet avalanche activity. Towards the end of our tour around 2pm, we found a slope with fully wet and weak snow. My pole is fully sunk into the weak snow. Professional Observer
03/17/2019 - 15:00
Snowpack Observation 		Castle Peak
Donner Summit Area 		Wet surface snow at lower elevation Roller balls of various sizes on South face East facing cornices with roller balls Thin ice crust forming across surface High elevation trees holding their N facing snow Cornices on North bowl of castle Public
03/17/2019 - 14:45
Avalanche Observation 		Donner Lake Run above Conifer Drive
Donner Summit Area 		Public
03/17/2019 - 12:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stevens Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Large cornice over Stevens north bowl Public
03/17/2019 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Stevens Peak
Carson Pass Area 		Above 8600 feet on open east facing terrain the snow was very close to corn. A few shaded gullies held more wintry snow. Professional Observer
03/17/2019 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Upper Ginny Lake drainage.
Mount Rose Area 		Thin melt freeze crust over dry snow on flat terrain at 8,350'. Thin melt-freeze crust over dry snow on SE aspect at 9,550'. Same thin melt-freeze crust over dry snow on SE aspect at 9,550'. Shallow wet snow over dry snow on SE aspect at 9,600'. Dry snow previously unaffected by melt on NNW-N-NNE aspects above 8,500'. Forecaster
03/16/2019 - 13:00
Avalanche Observation 		Johnson Canyon West Face
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Alpine Skills International (AS
03/16/2019 - 12:15
Snowpack Observation 		West face of Johnson canyon
Donner Summit Area 		Educator
Alpine Skills International (AS
03/16/2019 - 11:30
Snowpack Observation 		Jakes Peak South Side
West Shore Area 		Not corn, but decently soft. A steady stream of skiers helped reduce the size of any loose wet sloughs Corn snow at noon at 6,700 feet starting to get soft. Public
03/16/2019 - 11:15
Snowpack Observation 		Slide mountain
Mount Rose Area 		S and SE aspects on Mt. Rose proper as seen from Slide Mtn. Public
03/16/2019 - 11:00
Snowpack Observation 		Mt. Judah
Donner Summit Area 		Thin surface melt-freeze layer over dry snow (not yet a corn setup). Thin surface melt-freeze layer over dry snow (not yet a corn setup). Wet snow over dry snow without a melt-freeze crust in between. Small surface hoar on N aspect terrain near Mt. Judah summit. Breakable crust on N aspect around 7,100'. Forecaster
03/15/2019 - 13:45
Snowpack Observation 		Sunrise Bowl
Donner Summit Area 		Slight wind effect on flat terrain Wind scour on NW aspect Approximately 10ft tall cornice on NW face of bowl Weak interface at 4-6in depth Public
03/15/2019 - 12:45
Snowpack Observation 		Hidden Peak
West Shore Area 		NE aspect side of summit ridge. ECTN on wind slab. NE aspect, above treeline terrain. P hard slab over 1F hard older rounds. SW aspect side of summit ridge. ECTN on wind slab. SW aspect, above treeline terrain. 1F+ hard slab over 4F+ older rounds. Glide crack Wet surface snow at about 7,000' on SE aspect micro feature. Pinwheels on SE aspect at about 8,400'. Forecaster
03/14/2019 - 15:30
Snowpack Observation 		Peter Leh
Donner Summit Area 		Guide
Alpine Skills International (AS

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