JACKSON, Wyo. — Heavy snow fell across Teton County earlier this week and more is on the way as yet another storm is impacting the area on Thursday. The National Weather Service in Riverton has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for all of Teton County, which is in effect until 6 a.m. Friday.
Temperatures remain well below average for mid-April and the valley will continue to see accumulating snow as a result. However, we will see a slight warming trend compared to recent days with highs topping out in the mid 30s on Thursday afternoon.
Periods of snow can be expected throughout the day on Thursday with the heaviest snowfall rates on Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening. Snow totals from Thursday morning through Friday morning will range from 5-10 inches in the Tetons and 1-3 inches in the Jackson Hole Valley.
Winds will remain gusty out of the southwest throughout this event, which combined with the new snow falling will result in poor travel conditions both over the passes and in the valley. Roads in the valley will melt out on Thursday afternoon and then refreeze on Thursday night with black ice developing.
Snow showers will linger into early Friday morning before gradually clearing out as the day progresses. Temperatures will remain well below average for April on Friday with morning lows in the low to mid 20s and afternoon highs only in the upper 30s with breezy west/southwest winds expected.
April is off to a very wintery start across the Tetons following three months of below average snowfall from January to March. So far, the Rendezvous Bowl Plot at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has already received 40 inches of snow during the month of April.
Temperatures have also been unseasonably cold recently and the valley has picked up much more snow than usual this month as well. Historically, the Town of Jackson only averages 2.7 inches of snow during the month of April, but has already received 11.7 inches of snow this April (as of Wednesday).
We will start to warm up this weekend with highs reaching the 40s on Saturday and Sunday. Average highs at this time of year are in the mid 50s, so this will still be well below average. A weaker storm on Saturday will produce a round of rain and snow showers during the afternoon and evening hours, followed by a drying trend on Easter Sunday.
Alan Smith, Meteorologist
