JACKSON, Wyo. — February is off to a huge start in terms of snowfall in the Tetons and the snowy pattern is not going away anytime soon. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has already exceeded its average February snowfall and we’re only halfway through the month.
Deep snow totals in the Tetons so far this month
Since the beginning of February, the Rendezvous Bowl Plot at JHMR has received 87 inches of snow and the Raymer Plot has received 93 inches of snow. The average February snowfall from 1975-2020 at the Rendezvous Bowl Plot is 70 inches. This is the fifth year in a row that snowfall has been above average in February at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Interestingly enough, the Town of Jackson has only received 8.8 inches of snow so far this February, which is nothing out of the ordinary for the midway point through the month. The reason there has been such a large discrepancy is that most of the storms this month have arrived from the northwest or west.
Storms that arrive from the northwest or west lose most of their moisture as they pass over the Teton Range, meaning the valley typically will only see light snow during these storms as a result, especially for eastern portions of the valley (such as in the Town of Jackson).
Storms that arrive from the southwest or south tend to produce higher snow amounts in the Jackson Hole Valley since there is less “terrain blocking” compared to storms that cross the Tetons from the west/northwest.
Jackson Hole spared from the arctic blast
The recent snow has obviously been a boon to skiers and snowboarders, especially after a sluggish start to the winter in December and early/mid January. However, the other added benefit of this pattern is that arctic air has stayed out of Jackson Hole. In fact, we haven’t had a subzero temperature in Jackson since February 2.
A significant arctic blast is impacting much of North America with cold temperature records being set, including single-digit temperatures and snow and ice all the way down into South Texas. For example, it was 8 degrees in Austin and 2 degrees in Dallas-Ft. Worth on Monday morning – incredible cold for that far south.
Areas east of the Continental Divide in Montana and Wyoming are experiencing brutal subzero cold in this pattern (-28 in Bozeman and -24 in Casper this past weekend), but fortunately for Jackson, the moist Pacific flow has kept the arctic surge from extending west of the Continental Divide.
Instead, we’re experiencing only subtle effects in Jackson – just enough cold air to result in low-moisture content, blower powder on the slopes, but with comparatively milder temperatures compared to areas east of the Continental Divide.
Snow Totals of 2-4 feet expected for the Tetons from Monday through Friday
We’re only going to add to our deep snow totals in the Tetons over the next five days. A strong storm is already underway on Monday with heavy snow expected in the Tetons on Monday afternoon and Monday night.
Snow totals from Monday morning through Tuesday morning will range from 10-20 inches in the Tetons and 2-5 inches in the Jackson Hole Valley.
Snow will continue on Tuesday and Tuesday night as well with another 5-10 inches expected in the Tetons. Snow will become more intermittent heading into Wednesday, but an unsettled northwest flow will keep additional snow showers going with another 3-6 inches expected in the Tetons.
Three-day snow totals from Monday morning through Thursday morning will range from 1.5 to 3 feet (18-36 inches) in the Tetons and 3-8 inches in the Jackson Hole Valley.
After only a brief lull on Thursday when the sun may actually come out for a little while, another storm will arrive on Thursday night and Friday with another 7-16 inches expected in the Tetons (subject to change since we’re still five days away).
Snowy Pattern could continue through the end of February
The snow just doesn’t want to stop. Another series of storms are on the horizon for this weekend. The first quick-hitter is projected on Saturday, followed by a possible longer-duration storm on Sunday and Monday.
An active pattern looks to continue right through the end of February with additional storms possible next week as well.
This could very well end up being one of the top two or three snowiest February’s on record at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, with records dating back to 1975. However, the all-time February record of 200 inches set two years ago in 2019 is probably safe.
The Town of Jackson will not come close to its February snowfall record of 55 inches set in 2019 due to the prevalence of west/northwest storm tracks, whereas in 2019 most of the storms were arriving from the southwest.
Alan Smith, Meteorologist
