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
03/19/2017 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Negro Canyon

Donner Summit Area
SW aspect, warm temperatures,  wet, unsupportable snowRecent cornice fall, on E aspect at 7100' Guide

Tahoe Mountain Scho
03/19/2017 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Stevens Peak

Carson Pass Area
4 inches of snow surface refreeze on open slopes above 8,000'.Very supportable conditions at 11:15 am on SE aspect above 8,000'.Slightly increase depth of wet snow at noon on SE aspect above 8,000', but still very supportable.Intertionally skier triggered small loose wet avalanche on SE aspect at 8,200' at 12:15pm.Same small loose wet avalanche in previous photo. Forecaster
03/19/2017 - 11:01

Avalanche Observation
Mt. Tallac (summer) trail

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Public
03/18/2017 - 15:00

Snowpack Observation
Negro Canyon

Donner Summit Area
Looking southwest.  Rain on Donner Peak Guide

Tahoe Mountain Scho
03/18/2017 - 14:00

Snowpack Observation
Relay Peak

Mount Rose Area
Public
03/18/2017 - 11:30

Snowpack Observation
Red Lake Peak

Carson Pass Area
Looking north along the Sierra Crest - note the more widespread cloud cover north of Emerald BayCracks near the edge of a small cornice and an older cornice collapse Forecaster
03/17/2017 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Rose Knob

Mount Rose Area
Below 8200' on E-SE-S aspects were unsupportable, wet, and sticky snow at 12noon.Sagging cornices have opened up large, deep cracks between cornice and ridgeline.. Forecaster
03/17/2017 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Prosser Hill

Donner Summit Area
Knee deep wet snow on a S aspect at 6900 ft. at noon. Forecaster
03/17/2017 - 10:00

Snowpack Observation
Echo Peak

Echo Summit Area
Just after 8:00am, at 6800 feet open east facing slopes had a solid surface freeze.Around 9:00am, north facing partially open slopes had slick but shallow surface freeze with soft snow below.Huge crevasse where the east facing slope meets the flat ridge. Around 9:30am, on east facing slopes at 8600 feet snow was already softening. Around 10:00am, at 6800 feet open east facing slopes were softening significantly. Large amounts of running water at 8:00am in open areas. Professional Observer
03/16/2017 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Mt. Tallac

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Below 7500', unsupportable knee deep snow.Sagging cornices with debris from recent cornice failures widespread.Looking downslope on E-SE aspect, 8000'. Forecaster
03/16/2017 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Twin Crags

Sawtooth Ridge to Tahoe City
Loose wet sluff triggered by a ski cut on a S aspect at 6900 ft. @ noon.More ski cut triggered loose wet sluffs on a S aspect test slope.Mid shin deep wet snow on a S aspect at 6600 ft. at 10:30 am. Forecaster
03/15/2017 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Black Wall Area - Donner Summit

Donner Summit Area
Shin deep boot penetration into wet snow on a SE aspect at 7100 ft. Cornice failure that caused a small loose wet avalanche on an E aspect at 7200 ft. Likely occurred within the last 48 hours. Forecaster
03/15/2017 - 11:47

Avalanche Observation
Donner Peak

Donner Summit Area
Loose wet avalanche size D2 triggered by natural cornice collapse.
Loose wet avalanche size D2 triggered by natural cornice collapse.
Forecaster
03/14/2017 - 13:00

Avalanche Observation
West Ridge of Mt. Tallac

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Loose wet avalanche size D1.5-D2 triggered by natural cornice collapse.
Forecaster
03/14/2017 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Below Eagle Buttress

Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
March 14-Glide crack as seen from Emerald BayMarch 16-Glide crack as seen from Emerald BayMarch 18-Glide crack as seen from Emerald BayMarch 23-Glide crack as seen from Emerald Bay post storm.March 28-Glide crack as seen from Emerald Bay - Possibly some recent activity near one of the middle cracks..April 3-Glide crack as seen from Emerald Bay.April 6-Glide crack as seen from Emerald Bay. Forecaster

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