JACKSON, Wyo. — A multi-day storm cycle has produced up to 38 inches of snow in the Tetons over the past four days as of Monday morning and more snow is on the way to finish out the year. We will then see a break in the pattern over New Year’s weekend with very cold temperatures as arctic air arrives from the north.
Recent Snowfall
A strong storm cycle has hit the Tetons just in time for the holiday season and skiing conditions are quickly improving as a result and new terrain is opening up. Snow totals for this multi-day storm cycle have ranged from 12.8 inches in the Town of Jackson to 38 inches on the upper slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Here are the latest four-day snowfall totals as of Monday morning:
- 38″ – Jackson Hole – Rendezvous Bowl Plot (9,580 ft.)
- 38″ – Jackson Hole – Raymer Plot (9,360 ft.)
- 33″ – Jackson Hole – Mid-Mountain (8,180 ft.)
- 31″ – Grand Targhee – Chief Joseph Bowl (8,800 ft.)
- 25″ – Surprise Meadow (9,580 ft.)
- 22″ – Togwotee Pass (9,577 ft.)
- 19″ – Snow King (7,760 ft.)
- 14″ – Jackson Hole Base (6,510 ft.)
- 13″ – Town of Jackson (6,200 ft.)
The Rendezvous Bowl Plot at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has now received 89 inches of snow so far this December, which matches the long-term December average. This is impressive considering how dry December started.
With more snow in the forecast, this also guarantees that we’ll have an above-average December for snowfall for the first time since 2016, surprisingly enough.
The Town of Jackson has now received 20.8 inches of snow during the month of December, which is above the monthly average of 18.1 inches.
Interestingly enough, Jackson will finish with above-average snowfall in December despite this being one of the warmest Decembers on record.
If December ended today, this would be the second warmest December on record in the Town of Jackson, but this may fall down the list some with colder than average temperatures in the forecast for this week.
Snowpack (settled snow depth) is now above average for the date above 9,000 feet in the Tetons with a settled snow depth of 64-66 inches at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s upper mountain. However, snowpack remains below average at mid-mountain and at the base with current snow depths of 41 inches and 17 inches respectively.
Historical snow depth averages for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on December 27 are 54 inches on the upper mountain, 47 inches at mid-mountain and 20 inches at the base.
Snowy forecast through New Year’s Eve
Snow continues to fall on Monday with gradually decreasing snowfall rates expected later Monday afternoon and into Monday evening. Travel conditions will remain challenging, but snow conditions for skiing and riding will remain excellent.
Avalanche danger is rated as CONSIDERABLE and persistent weak layers are a concern due to the early season dry spell, so use caution if traveling in the backcountry and check the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center regularly.
Arctic air will arrive from the north late Monday night and into Tuesday with cold and dry conditions expected as we see a temporary break in the pattern. Highs on Tuesday will struggle to get out of the single digits in the valley and will struggle to get above zero in the mountains.
The next storm will then arrive on Wednesday with snow developing in the morning and falling at heavier rates during the afternoon and evening. The Tetons will pick up 4-8 inches of new snow from this storm with 1-3 inches in the valley.
A stronger storm will then follow from Thursday morning through the first half of the day on Friday with two-day snow totals through Friday ranging from 8-15 inches in the Tetons and 2-5 inches in the valley.
Temperatures will gradually moderate from Wednesday through the first half of the day on Friday but will still remain quite cold with low density powder snow expected as a result.
Skiing and riding conditions will be excellent to close out the year (early season hazards and limited terrain aside), but holiday travel conditions will be challenging with consistent snowfall and blowing snow resulting in poor visibility at times.
Cold and dry conditions expected over New Year’s Weekend
Snow will likely come to an end by around Friday afternoon and the next push of arctic air will arrive on Friday evening, so be sure to bundle up if you’re heading out for New Year’s Eve festivities.
Cold and dry conditions will then prevail on Saturday and Sunday with high temperatures struggling to get out of the single digits in the valley and overnight lows falling well below zero.
Saturday temperatures will be cold at all elevations, then on Sunday, we will likely see an inversion developing with “warmer” (but still cold) temperatures at the higher elevations compared to the valley.
The cold/dry pattern is expected to last through next Monday, then a more active/snowy pattern is likely to return in the days to follow with moderating temperatures.
Alan Smith, Meteorologist
