The light, cold, dry snow will see the strong March sun for the first time today ~ with 5-9" of new snow sitting on a very slick and uniform hard layer, the loose wet snow will likely run fast and far - piling up deeply in tight chutes and gulleys. If you are going to be in steep southerly facing terrain, be mindful of whats above and below you. If the snow becomes damp or you start seeing rollerballs shedding off of cliffs or rocks bands, it's time to get out of there.

Long running sluffs on sustained slopes steeper than 35°, and shallow wind slabs can be triggered today, especially at the upper elevation northerly facing terrain. While these slides would be shallow, the terrain you are in will make a difference – even a small slide is serious if a ride would carry you off a cliff, into trees or down a long, icy slope.

Weak, faceted snow still exists near the ground on mid and high elevation slopes. Avalanches can still break 1-3 feet deep especially on slopes above 8000 feet in steep rocky areas. The natural slide spotted on Willard Peak last Friday is a good example. That slide broke deep in the snowpack and ran a very long distance.