The March sun is strong, and with poor overnight refreezes ahead, expect wet loose avalanches, roof slides, and a gloppy snow surface on easterly, southerly, and westerly aspects, as well as low-elevation north-facing slopes.

Larger wet slab avalanches are a growing concern, particularly after multiple days of strong melting and no overnight refreeze. While they may not occur today, they should remain on our radar. Water could pool in several layers, including the new/old interface 1-2' down, which is the most suspect for shallow wet slabs by afternoon. The early March dust/crust/facet layer and thinner areas remain a concern as water moves through the snowpack, potentially leading to large wet avalanches.

Bottom line: Get out early, avoid slopes above 35 degrees when the snow becomes wet, and watch for warning signs like rollerballs, wet sluffs, or cornices breaking. Change aspects or head home if these signs appear, as even smaller slides can be dangerous in high-consequence terrain. Always plan a safe exit route.

Today, any lingering wind drifts in will be more stubborn, allowing you to get farther onto a slope before they potentially break. This is a bigger concern in no-fall terrain like hanging snowfields and exposed gullies.

Use caution in steep terrain with drifted snow. Watch for signs of instability like cracking, collapsing, fresh cornice growth, or pillowy features. If you see any of these, avoid traveling on or beneath wind-loaded slopes. Cornices are growing larger and more likely to fail in high winds or warm temps—give them a wide berth.