Jackson Hole's Varied Climate

The seasons in Jackson Hole are well-defined. The summer features warm days and crisp nights. Many would argue fall is the best season, with excellent fishing and hunting while parks and trails remain open. When winter snow covers the valley and mountains, sunny days are brilliantly white. At the same time, strong storms and bone-chilling temperatures remind residents and visitors that Jackson Hole is a wild and extreme place. Spring, one has to be honest, is known as mud season. That said, some springs are warm and dry, while others feature rain into June.

In winter, skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers enjoy the precipitation brought by storms from the Pacific Northwest. During the season, they drop between 300 and 500 inches of snow on the Teton Range.

By early May, warm spring days can delight those on the valley floor while skiers get some of the last turns of the season. Spring rains in May and June provide an extra boost of moisture as green foliage begins to emerge from the long-dormant ground and aspen leaves unfold from their buds.

In July, Mother Nature turns up the heat, and sunshine usually dominates. Daytime temperatures remain fairly moderate, rarely exceeding 90 degrees but often dropping into the 40s and 50s at night.

Fall is a favorite for locals. With tourist traffic decreased and students in school, the pace of life becomes more regular. Residents and visitors make the most of any sunshine and watch as cottonwoods and aspens turn bright yellow.

Regardless of the season, the weather in Jackson Hole is unpredictable. Storms can roll over the mountains in minutes, unleashing torrents of rain or snow on the unprepared. Just as quickly, sunny skies can return. The weather serves as a reminder that Jackson Hole, more than most places, is defined by natural forces.

Jackson Hole Climate Stats

Average high, July: 81 degrees

Average low, July: 41 degrees

Average high, January: 25 degrees

Average low, January: 2 degrees

Coldest temperature ever recorded: -63 degrees

Hottest temperature ever recorded: 98 degrees

Average snowfall, January (mountains): 86 inches

Average rainfall, July: 1 inch

Winter 2008-09 snowfall total, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: 502 inches

Winter 2008-09 snowfall total, Grand Targhee Resort: 529 inches