Avalanche danger is rising across Colorado as the unusually warm weather impacts the state\u2019s snowpack.<\/p>\n
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center warned in a news release on Thursday, March 19, that conditions will continue to worsen through the weekend as wet avalanche concerns increase due to the warm weather.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe avalanche danger pattern this weekend is complicated, and you could change from dry winter conditions to wet spring conditions by changing to a different aspect or elevation band,\u201d said the center\u2019s director, Ethan Greene, in a statement.<\/p>\n
In Colorado\u2019s northern and central mountains, the avalanche forecast for Friday and Saturday rates the danger as considerable, or Level 3 of 5, according to the center. That means that human-triggered avalanches will be likely and slides could be big enough to bury, injure or kill a person.<\/p>\n
With the warm temperatures, skiers and riders visiting the resort who are thinking about going out into the adjacent backcountry terrain should know that they need to manage their own avalanche safety, according to the release.<\/p>\n
Throughout much of the state, a persistent slab avalanche problem remains, according to the forecast. The avalanche center describes persistent slab problems as \u201cespecially dangerous and tricky\u201d because they are formed by a persistent weak layer buried in the snowpack that can break in \u201csurprising and unpredictable ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774339886_158_3.17_Cornice_West_side_Independence_Pass_near_Geissler_Mountian-768x1024.png\")
A large cornice forms on the west side of Independence Pass on March 17, 2026. Cornices like this could pose an avalanche risk as temperatures rise this weekend, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Colorado Avalanche Information Center\/Courtesy photo<\/p>\n
Due to the warm weather, backcountry travelers could also encounter wet slab and loose wet avalanches, according to the forecast. The avalanche center describes wet slab avalanches as slides that occur when snow that is moist or wet weakens the bond between two layers of snow. A loose wet avalanche is a slide of wet, unconsolidated snow or slush.<\/p>\n
To avoid the most dangerous avalanche conditions, backcountry travelers should start early when temperatures are cooler and avoid steep slopes once the snow becomes wet, soft or unsupportable, according to the center.<\/p>\n