The spring season officially begins in March, with astronomical spring starting with the vernal equinox and meteorological spring starting on the first day of the month. However, March's longer days and warmer weather can lead to more unpredictable weather conditions, such as higher altitudes where sudden changes in wind velocity, temperature, or precipitation in the mountains can leave hikers vulnerable. This can also leave them open to the dangers of flash flooding while hiking through rugged terrain, and potentially leading to avalanches. The warmer weather, which can affect hiking conditions in mountainous areas, can also lead to runoff in mountainous regions, which is particularly prone to this. Hiking in March can be difficult due to the unpredictable nature of the weather.