JACKSON, Wyo. — Although we’re currently experiencing a brief cool-down late this week, June as a whole is off to a hot start in Jackson Hole and is only going to get hotter with record temperatures likely next week.
A strong ridge of high pressure will build over the Western U.S. starting this weekend and will remain in place through most of next week, resulting in unseasonable warmth.
High temperatures will soar to near 90 in the Jackson Hole Valley on Sunday, and then highs are forecast to reach or exceed 90 each day through next Wednesday or Thursday. A multi-day stretch of 90-degree heat in mid-June is highly unusual, and daily record highs will be challenged each day.
Check out the forecasted highs versus record highs in Jackson for each day from Sunday through Wednesday:
In the Northern Jackson Hole Valley, the weather station near Moran Junction will challenge records as well.
Unfortunately, a prolonged early-season heat wave such as this could not be coming at a worse time. Teton County is currently in a moderate drought and early June snowpack above 9,000 feet in the Tetons is the lowest in at least 15 years (late-season records only date back to 2007).
The pre-existing drought and low snowpack conditions followed by an extended stretch of unseasonably hot and dry conditions in June is a recipe for very high fire danger come July and August.
The period from June 1-10 was in the top 5 warmest on record at both the Jackson and Moran weather stations, with records dating back over 100 years. Also, only a few hundredths of an inch of rainfall has been recorded this month in the Jackson Hole Valley (which happened on Thursday).
Top 5 Hottest June 1-10 Periods in Jackson – Average Temperatures between High & Low
- 1977 (60.4º)
- 1997 (60.0º)
- 2004 (59.8º)
- 2006 (59.4º)
- 2021 (59.0º)
Top 5 Hottest June 1-10 Periods in Moran – Average Temperatures between High & Low
- 1977 (59.7º)
- 2021 (57.0º)
- 2016 (56.6º)
- 1997 (56.4º)
- 1988 (56.4º)
The hottest June on record (taking into account the entire month) at both the Jackson and Moran weather stations occurred in 1988, which of course is the same year the devastating Yellowstone wildfires occurred. There were four days of 90+ degree temperatures in June of 1988, but even that year the temperature didn’t reach 90 until June 23.
Time will tell since we’re only a third of the way through the month, but given the upcoming heatwave next week and the fact that there is no real end in sight to the well-above-average temperatures, we could very well end up competing with 1988 for the hottest June on record in Jackson Hole.
Alan Smith, Meteorologist
