At the upper elevations increasing west to northwest winds and new snow will begin to form pockets of soft wind slab on leeward aspects. These soft slabs could be human triggered in steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid and lower elevations. Monitor conditions and avoid steep avalanche prone terrain if snowfall rates rapidly increase. Reissued at 6:56 based on information only just received that there was an avalanche fatality yesterday in a closed area at the Grand Targhee Resort. Yesterday afternoon a lift skier removed his skis and crossed into a closed area. He fell through a cornice and over a cliff. He triggered an avalanche and was completely buried. He was found by a rescue dog but had died from trauma. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
At the higher elevations west to northwest winds will be forming pockets of new wind slab up to a foot in depth. These soft slabs could be human triggered and knock a person over and carry them over a cliff or down a very steep sustained slope.
Some clouds and mountain snow showers are likely during the early evening hours. Skies are expected to at least partially clear after midnight. Skies will be mostly sunny on Tuesday. Colder air is moving in from the northwest. Temperatures are forecast to drop into the single digits by daybreak and rise into the 20s during the day. Ridge crest winds will continue to veer towards the north at speeds of 10 to 20 miles per hour. Depending on the amount of snow received overnight and the strength of the wind the general avalanche hazard is anticipated to be LOW in the Teton and Greys River areas on Tuesday. At the upper elevations isolated pockets of wind slab could be triggered by people who venture into steep avalanche starting zones, couloirs and cliff areas. These slides could knock a person over or sweep them over a cliff or down a very steep slope. The general avalanche hazard in the Togwotee Pass area is expected to be MODERATE. In that area deep slab instabilities continue to be a potential hazard.
