JACKSON, Wyo. — Ski resorts have closed for the season following a below-average winter for snowfall. However, winter is making a big-time comeback in April with heavy snow and near-record cold temperatures in the forecast for this week. In fact, snow is in the forecast for each of the next seven days.
April 4-10 Recap
We experienced a spring roller-coaster last week, but for the most part, colder than average temperatures prevailed along with new snow early and late in the week.
The warmest temperature of the week was 64ºF on April 8 and the coldest temperature of the week was 16ºF on April 7. High temperatures ranged from the 30s to the 60s, including a high of only 32ºF on April 10.
Snowfall totals have been more impressive over the past week with seven-day totals of 20 inches at Jackson Hole’s Rendezvous Bowl Plot, 19 inches at the Raymer Plot, and 20 inches at Grand Targhee.
On Monday morning, snow totals were impressive throughout the Tetons with 24-hour reports of 10 inches at the Rendezvous Bowl Plot, 9 inches at the Raymer Plot, 7 inches at the Mid-Mountain Plot, 3 inches at the Base Area Plot and 6 inches at Grand Targhee. Togwotee Pass also picked up 5 inches.
The Town of Jackson picked up 3.1 inches of snow over the past week as well.
The snow depth at the Rendezvous Bowl Plot has increased to 85 inches, which is 83% of average, but a considerable improvement compared to a week ago. In terms of snow water equivalent (the amount of water contained in the snowpack), the Tetons are still only 65-70% of average, but we should see improvement over the coming week.
Forecast for Monday (4/4) to Sunday (4/10)
The next storm is underway for Jackson Hole with periods of heavy snow expected from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening. Teton County is currently under a Winter Weather Advisory until 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Travel conditions will continue to deteriorate over Teton Pass on Monday evening with heavy snow and strong south/southwest winds expected. Road conditions will also become snow-packed in the valley overnight as well.
A cold front will arrive early on Tuesday morning, and temperatures will be unseasonably cold during the day on Tuesday with highs possibly not getting out of the 20s in the valley, and only in the teens at 8,000-9,000 feet.
Periods of snow will continue throughout the day on Tuesday, though it may be more “showery” in nature. Gusty west/southwest winds can be expected, resulting in areas of blowing/drifting snow on the roads, and an unstable atmosphere in the afternoon will even provide us with a chance of “thundersnow”.
Snow totals from Monday through Tuesday night will range from 7-13 inches in the Tetons and 2-5 inches in the Jackson Hole Valley.
Snow will finally start to taper off on Tuesday night, but scattered snow showers will remain possible through the day on Wednesday as well with temperatures remaining well below average.
High temperatures on Wednesday will be near “record low” levels during the day, and record low minimum temperatures will also be in jeopardy on Wednesday night depending on how much if any clearing we see.
Another storm will arrive on Thursday-Friday with snow picking back up, especially during the Thursday afternoon through Friday morning timeframe. Temperatures will trend warmer during this event compared to the previous storm, but accumulating snow is likely on the valley floor once again.
Yet another storm is possible this weekend with Saturday night looking like the “prime time” for new snow, though snow will be possible during the daytime hours on Saturday and on Sunday morning as well. Temperatures will continue to trend warmer during this period with highs reaching the 40s in the valley and rain possibly mixing in down low on Saturday.
Extended Outlook
We should finally see a break in the pattern early next week (Monday 4/18 to Tuesday 4/19, roughly speaking) with drier conditions along with warmer temperatures. A more active pattern could then return during the second half of next week with cooler temperatures and snow/rain chances, though it won’t be as cold as what we’re experiencing this week.
Alan Smith, Meteorologist
