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 Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images Observation made by
01/28/2023 - 17:00

Snowpack Observation
Peter Grubb Hut

Donner Summit Area
Public
01/28/2023 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Near Webber lake

Little Truckee Summit Areas
Wind hammered surfaces in open terrain Variable conditions Soft snow in protected areas Public
01/28/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Powderhouse Peak

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Public
01/28/2023 - 10:30

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
Large SH in areas adjacent to the FS 12 Rd. Large SH in areas adjacent to the FS 12 Rd. Knocked down and slightly melted SH along the ridgetop near 7,600'. NE aspect avalanche terrain near 7,600' with widespread knocked over, slightly melted 8 to 10 mm SH. 8 to 10 mm SH knocked over, no longer upright in NE aspect avalanche terrain near 7,600'. Forecaster
01/27/2023 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Trimmer Peak

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Moist near surface facets at 8,400' on shaded N aspect terrain. Forecaster
01/27/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Winnemucca Lake

Carson Pass Area
Note the contrast between steep slopes with a rough texture and steep slopes that are smooth Rough snow in the foreground and smooth, firm snow in the background Where I broke through the sastrugi, I checked under the firm snow to find small facets underneath Small, angular, and weak facets under the wind packed snow Professional Observer
01/27/2023 - 09:30

Snowpack Observation
Maggies Peak

West Shore Area
Public
01/26/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Lincoln Ridge

Yuba Pass Area
8 to 9 mm surface hoar across NE aspect near treeline avalanche terrain. 8 to 9 mm SH at the spot of photo 1 looking across avalanche terrain. Some of the largest surface hoar we encountered today at 20-25mm. Forecaster
01/26/2023 - 11:00

Snowpack Observation
Chickadee Ridge

Mount Rose Area
Wind carved snow in near treeline terrain on Price Peak. Wind affected snow surfaces were widespread on Chickadee Ridge. Wind scouring and sculpting near the top of Chickadee Ridge Forecaster
01/26/2023 - 10:30

Snowpack Observation
Red Lake Peak

Carson Pass Area
the ridge on the south of crater lake, showing an old crown Public
01/26/2023 - 10:26

Snowpack Observation
Surface hoar factory near Pickett Peak

Woodfords Canyon
Large feathered surface hoar. Hard melt freeze crusts on solar aspects above 7600'. Mid-slope wind drift. Wind effected snow in open areas below treeline. No signs of instability within pit profile. Professional Observer
01/25/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Shallenberger Ridge

Donner Summit Area
Calm and sunny conditions in the morning. Surface hoar and some near surface faceting in wind protected BTL areas. Wind scouring along ridgeline Thin sun crusts with cold snow underneath on southerly aspects. Forecaster
01/25/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Stevens Peak

Carson Pass Area
A shovel tilt test showing buried surface hoar at the right depth to be the failure layer of a nearby previous avalanche. Further testing showed it to be unreactive A previous avalanche on a NE aspect at 8800ft. Zoom in to crown and it's not very weather worn During the calm morning, surface hoar growing where E winds recently blew Professional Observer
01/25/2023 - 09:30

Snowpack Observation
Little truckee meadows

Little Truckee Summit Areas
Public
01/24/2023 - 12:30

Snowpack Observation
Stoney Ridge

West Shore Area
Wind scouring near 8000' in open BTL terrain. Previous wind transport on Sun/Mon filling up this old skin track. ECTP-24 on hard wind slab Sun crusts forming on southerly aspects. Much calmer conditions today than recently with no blowing snow over upper elevations. Forecaster
01/24/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Becker Peak

Echo Summit Area
Top failure at the bottom of near surface facets. Bottom failure on buried surface hoar Horrible conditions on north aspects due to north winds Eroded snow indicating upslope NE winds Professional Observer
01/24/2023 - 10:52

Snowpack Observation
Soft cold conditions near Saxon Creek.

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Wind effected snow on exposed areas near treeline. Thinner breakable windslabs on East aspects up to 9000'. Scattered debris from recent winds in lower elevations. Settlement cracks around trees at 9000'. Non-reactive compression tests on NW aspect @ 8700'. 300+cms @ 8700' on NW aspect. Planar results during hand shears on thin wind slabs. Professional Observer
01/24/2023 - 01:23

Snowpack Observation
Perazzo Meadows Area

Little Truckee Summit Areas
Public
01/23/2023 - 14:15

Snowpack Observation
Gondola Fire Burn Scar

Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Public
01/23/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Deep Creek Peak

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
We could see blowing snow along the ridges on the Sierra Crest. Winds affected snow was widespread on all aspects above treeline. Some wind affected snow existed in open areas below treeline Settlement cracks around trees indicating consolidation in the recent snow. 4-8 mm surface hoar was widespread on northerly aspects. Breakable sun crusts existed on the SE-S aspects Forecaster

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