JACKSON, Wyo. — Thanksgiving will be relatively quiet weather-wise in Jackson Hole this year, while local ski resorts are trying to take advantage of snowmaking windows to get the lifts up and running soon.
Grand Targhee delayed its opening day, originally scheduled for November 19, while Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is scheduled to open this Thursday, November 25.
There will be only one decent chance of snow this week on Tuesday night, with dry conditions expected for the remainder of the week. As a result, Thanksgiving holiday travel will generally be low impact this year.
The week is starting out with sunny skies and high temperatures in the low 40s in the valley on Monday. Now, let’s dive into the day-by-day for the upcoming holiday period…
Tuesday (November 23)
A fast-moving storm will approach from the west/northwest with increasing clouds and winds during the afternoon hours. Highs will top out in the upper 30s in the valley.
The storm will arrive late in the day with a cold front at the leading edge with snow showers arriving a little before sunset. Snow shower activity will then pick up during the evening hours and continue overnight before ending by Wednesday morning.
This will be a colder storm than what we’ve seen recently and snowfall will be drier and more powdery as a result. New snowfall totals through Wednesday morning will range from 3-6 inches in the Tetons and a half-inch to two inches in the valley.
Wednesday (November 24)
Snowpacked roads are likely over Teton and Togwotee Passes on Wednesday morning and temperatures will be cold enough for snow cover and icy spots on the valley roads as well.
Otherwise, conditions will dry out with increasing sunshine during the daytime hours on Wednesday. Temperatures will be colder with morning lows in the upper teens to low 20s in the valley and afternoon highs in the low 30s in the valley.
The cold temperatures will allow for good snowmaking conditions all day long as JHMR prepares for opening day on Thursday.
If you’re traveling on the roads east of Jackson on Wednesday, light and scattered snow showers can be expected across portions of Central Wyoming around the Casper area, and this could result in slick/snowy areas on the roads. But overall, this will not be a big storm.
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday (November 25)
Turkey Day will be mostly sunny and dry but we may see a temperature inversion hold for most of the day with valley highs ranging from the low 30s to low 40s depending on whether or not the inversion erodes in the afternoon.
Friday (November 26)
Increasing clouds are expected on Friday along with warmer temperatures as highs warm up into the low to mid 40s in the valley.
A weak disturbance will pass north of the area, and there is an outside chance we could see some light snow showers reach Teton County on Friday afternoon or Friday night, but odds are low and more likely than not, conditions will remain dry.
Even if we do get any snow, it will be low impact and likely a non-event in the valley given the milder temperatures.
Saturday (November 27)
Decreasing clouds are expected with temperatures remaining on the milder side as highs reach the low to mid 40s in the valley.
Sunday (November 28)
Sunny skies and dry conditions will continue with no travel impacts expected whatsoever. Valley temperatures will be dependent on whether or not a temperature inversion develops as high pressure strengthens over the area, and could range anywhere from the low 30s to upper 40s as a result. Mountain temperatures (8,000-10,000 ft.) will rise above freezing.
Extended Outlook
Dry conditions will persist through early next week, but the pattern is starting to look more promising for skiers as we head into early December.
Long-range models are coming into fairly strong agreement that high pressure will weaken during the first week of December and give way to a more active storm track across the Northwest and Northern Rockies, resulting in better snow potential for the Tetons.
Check back in early next week for the next weekly weather outlook. Daily forecasts will resume on December 2.
Alan Smith, Meteorologist
