JACKSON, Wyo. – Snow totals over the 7-day period from March 13-19 ranged from 30-50 inches in the Tetons above 8,000 feet. Two more storms will impact the region on Thursday and Saturday, followed by a significant warm-up next week.
Recent Weather Conditions
Winter has come back strong over the past week with frequent storms bringing heavy snowfall to the Tetons. Since March 13, the Raymer Plot at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) has received 51 inches of snow and Grand Targhee has received 40 inches.
Snow King has also picked up 20 inches and has been enjoying awesome skiing conditions during its final week of the season.
The town of Jackson received several rounds of light snowfall initially followed by a more substantial snow event on Monday night that delivered 6.5 inches of snow.
The town of Jackson has received a total of 10.6 inches of snow over the past week, and a total of 16.5 inches so far during the month of March which is above average.
Here is a list of 7-day snowfall totals as of March 19:
- 51 inches – JHMR Raymer Plot
- 48 inches – JHMR Rendezvous Bowl Plot
- 44 inches – Surprise Meadow (GTNP)
- 40 inches – Grand Targhee
- 33 inches – JHMR Mid-Mountain
- 30 inches – Togwotee Pass
- 28 inches – Teton Pass West Side
- 20 inches – Snow King
- 10.6 inches – Jackson (town)
Snowpack in the Snake River Headwaters Basin, which includes the Teton Range, is currently 110% of average. Peak snowpack occurs in early April on average, and we are on track to finish near or above average depending on what happens over the next few weeks.
Temperatures have been on a bit of a rollercoaster over the past week, as is common at this time of year when we are transitioning from winter to spring.
Last weekend, highs were in the 30s in the Jackson Hole Valley before a substantial warm-up occurred on Sunday night and Monday with highs rising well into the 40s. The town of Jackson had a high of 48ºF on Monday.
However, much colder air arrived behind Monday night’s storm, with a high of 33ºF in Jackson on Tuesday and a low of -2ºF on Wednesday morning. For perspective, the average high and low for the date are 43ºF and 19ºF.
This is typically about as late in the year as we see subzero temperatures in Jackson, as subzero cold beyond the third week of March is rare. This was also our coldest morning in over a month, as the last time we dipped below zero was on February 14.
Despite the recent colder weather, temperatures are still running 2.7ºF above average so far during the month of March, with more temperature fluctuations in the forecast ahead.
Winds have also been very strong at times over the past week, which is not uncommon at this time of year when the seasons are changing and sharper temperature gradients exist between warm and cold airmasses.
The strongest winds during this pattern occurred on Sunday night and early Monday morning with peak gusts of 71 mph recorded at the top of the tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and 50 mph at the Jackson Hole Airport.
Upcoming Weather Pattern
A break in the pattern is occurring on Wednesday with cloud cover gradually decreasing, while temperatures remain colder than average. High temperatures will struggle to reach freezing in Jackson on Wednesday afternoon.
The next storm will arrive on Thursday. This will be a weaker storm with only light snowfall amounts expected, but winds will become strong out of the west/southwest once again.
On Friday, we will see lighter snow showers and continued chilly temperatures in between storms. The next storm will then bring more snow on Friday night and Saturday, with very strong winds expected during the day on Saturday as a cold front moves through.
Snowfall amounts will be lighter in this pattern compared to what we’ve seen over the past week, but it will be enough to result in travel impacts over Teton Pass, while the ski slopes will also be freshened up.
The snow forecast map below for the next 7 days represents the average of 50 simulations of the European weather model.
Starting on Sunday, a ridge of high pressure will build over the Western U.S., signaling a transition to a much warmer and drier pattern that will have everyone thinking about spring again.
Stubborn cloud cover will linger to some extent on Sunday and Monday, then more abundant sunshine is likely by the middle of next week with highs soaring well into the 50s.
The European Model is projecting temperatures to be around 15ºF above normal by next Wednesday.
The warm and dry pattern looks to continue through next Thursday or Friday, and then we will likely transition back into a more unsettled pattern with snow chances for the Tetons during the final few days of the month (snow or rain showers possible in the valley).
NOAA’s 8-14 day outlook has above-average precipitation favored for the end of March and the beginning of April, while above-average temperatures are also favored, although it should cool down a bit following the March 23-27 warm-up.
Alan Smith, Meteorologist
