Pack your bags, but honestly, leave the ego at home. People look at a weather app, see a "temp in Jackson Hole" reading of 20 degrees, and think they’re ready for a winter wonderland. They aren't. Not even close. There is a massive difference between twenty degrees in a humid East Coast city and twenty degrees at the base of the Teton Range.
The air here is thin. It’s dry. It’s basically a different physical reality.
If you are planning a trip to Teton County, you have to understand that the thermometer is a liar. It doesn’t account for the "inversion" that traps freezing air in the valley floor while it’s actually sunny and pleasant up at the top of the Corbet’s Couloir. It doesn't tell you that when the sun dips behind those jagged granite peaks at 4:00 PM, the temperature doesn't just drop—it crashes. You can lose thirty degrees in less than an hour.
The Reality of the Temp in Jackson Hole Right Now
Jackson Hole sits at an elevation of about 6,237 feet at the town level. That changes everything. When we talk about the temp in Jackson Hole, we are talking about a high-altitude desert environment that happens to get pounded by Pacific moisture.
January is the month that separates the locals from the tourists. You’ll see the official averages listed as highs of 25°F and lows of 5°F. Sounds manageable? It isn't. Those are averages. In reality, it’s quite common for the valley to hit -20°F. At those temperatures, the moisture in your breath freezes on your eyelashes. Your nostrils stick together when you inhale.
The local weather experts at MountainWeather.com, run by meteorologist Jim Woodmencey, often point out the phenomenon of "Temperature Inversions." Usually, the higher you go, the colder it gets. In Jackson, the opposite often happens. Cold, heavy air sinks into the hole (the valley), while warmer air sits on top. You might be shivering in the town square in -10°F weather, but if you take the tram up to the 10,450-foot summit of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, it could be a "balmy" 20°F.
Always check both the town forecast and the mountain forecast. They are rarely the same.
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Spring and Summer: The Great Thermostat Swing
June is the trickiest month for anyone visiting. You wake up and there is frost on the grass. You go for a hike at noon and you’re sweating through a t-shirt. By 6:00 PM, you’re looking for a down jacket.
- July and August: These are the "consistent" months, but even then, don't trust the sun. Highs hit the 80s, but the lack of humidity means the heat doesn't linger. Once that sun is gone, the temp in Jackson Hole plummets.
- The "Mud Season": April and May are weird. You might get a 65-degree day followed by a blizzard that dumps two feet of heavy, wet snow. This is why locals call it "sleepless spring." You never know if you're planting flowers or shoveling the driveway.
The UV radiation at this altitude is also a factor people ignore. At 6,000+ feet, the sun is intense. It feels ten degrees hotter than the thermometer says when you're standing in direct sunlight, but the second you step into the shade of a lodgepole pine, you'll feel the true, biting chill of the mountain air.
Why Humidity (Or Lack Thereof) Matters
Dry cold is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, 20 degrees in Jackson doesn't "chill you to the bone" the way a damp 35-degree day in Seattle or Boston does. On the other hand, your skin will crack, your nose might bleed, and you will get dehydrated faster than you realize.
The air is so thirsty for moisture that it sucks it right out of your body. When the temp in Jackson Hole is low, you need to drink twice as much water as you think. Most "altitude sickness" cases reported at St. John’s Health in Jackson are actually just severe dehydration exacerbated by the cold, dry air.
Packing for the Teton Microclimates
Forget fashion. Seriously. If you’re walking down Broadway near the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, you’ll see people in $3,000 fur coats, sure. But the people who actually live here—the climbers, the guides, the lifties—they’re wearing layers.
Layering isn't just a suggestion; it's a survival strategy.
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- Base Layer: Synthetic or Merino wool. No cotton. Ever. Cotton is "death cloth" because once it gets wet from sweat or snow, it stays wet and pulls heat away from your body.
- Mid-Layer: A fleece or a "puffy" (down jacket). This is your insulator.
- Shell: Something to block the wind. The wind coming off the Tetons can be brutal, especially in the Teton Village area.
If you’re visiting in the fall, specifically September, you’re catching the best weather, but also the most unpredictable. The temp in Jackson Hole during the fall is a gamble. One day it's a golden, 70-degree afternoon with the aspens turning yellow; the next, it’s a gray, slushy mess.
The Science of the "Hole"
Why is it so much colder here than in other parts of Wyoming? It’s the geography. Jackson Hole is a 55-mile long valley sheltered by the Teton Range to the west and the Gros Ventre Range to the east. This creates a literal "bowl" or "hole."
Cold air is denser than warm air. When the sun sets, the air on the mountain slopes cools and slides down into the valley floor. It stays there. Unless a strong wind event pushes it out, that cold air just sits, getting colder every night. This is why the Jackson Hole Airport—located inside Grand Teton National Park—often records some of the lowest temperatures in the lower 48 states during the winter.
What to Do When the Temp Drops Below Zero
Don't panic, but do be smart. If you’re driving, make sure your car has a winter emergency kit. Batteries die fast in -20°F. If you're renting a car, ask if it has all-season tires at a minimum, though winter tires are better.
Keep your gas tank at least half full. Condensation can form in the empty part of the tank and freeze your fuel lines. It’s a literal nightmare to deal with when you’re trying to catch a flight or get to the ski hill for first chair.
If you're out and about, watch for frostnip. It starts with your skin looking pale and feeling numb. If that happens, get inside immediately. The temp in Jackson Hole doesn't play around, and wind chill can make a cold day dangerous in minutes.
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Essential Advice for Your Trip
To actually enjoy the weather here, you have to stop fighting it. Embrace the "Big Weather" energy.
Watch the "Webcams": Before you leave your hotel or Airbnb, check the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort webcams or the SeeJH cameras. This gives you a visual on the cloud cover and the current temp in Jackson Hole at various elevations.
Sunscreen is mandatory: Even if it’s 10 degrees. The snow reflects the sun's rays, meaning you get hit from above and below. "Goggle tan" is a real thing, and a mountain sunburn is a miserable way to spend a vacation.
Adjust your expectations: If the temp hits -10°F, the snow becomes "sticky." It’s not great for skiing because the friction increases. On those days, maybe spend the morning at the National Museum of Wildlife Art or soaking in the Astoria Hot Springs (about 20 minutes south of town).
The Wind Factor: Check the "Wind Cast." A 20-degree day with no wind is beautiful. A 20-degree day with a 30 mph gust off the mountains will make you want to cry. The locals use the JH Mountain Weather app or NOAA specifically for the "Jackson Hole Airport" station to get the most accurate, granular data.
Don't let the numbers scare you off. There is something profoundly beautiful about the Tetons when they are locked in a deep freeze. The air is so clear you can see every crag on the mountainside, and the "diamond dust"—tiny ice crystals floating in the air—makes the whole valley sparkle. Just remember: layers are your best friend, hydration is a requirement, and the thermometer is only giving you half the story.
Before you head out, download a dedicated mountain weather app rather than relying on the default one on your phone, which often pulls data from a station miles away or at a completely different elevation. Set your sights on the "Feels Like" temperature, and always carry a spare pair of dry socks in the car. It sounds like overkill until you're the one with warm toes while everyone else is heading back to the lodge early.