Because December in Jackson Hole wasn’t already festive enough, the National Weather Service in Riverton has decided to drop a little holiday teaser trailer for us:
A WINTER STORM WATCH from Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.
What’s Coming? Glad You Asked.
The forecast reads like a ski bum’s love letter:
- 10 to 16 inches of snow for most of the region
- 2 to 3 feet in the higher elevations (aka where your favorite ski buddy will brag about “earning their turns”)
- Wind gusts up to 40 mph, perfect for sculpting those decorative snowdrifts across your driveway you never asked for
Basically, Mother Nature is sending us the sampler platter and the full entrée. Perfect timing for Ski in Jeans Day at JHMR!
Where Is This Going Down?
- Teton & Gros Ventre Mountains
- Salt River Range
- Wyoming Range
So yes, all the places your out-of-town visitors insist on “just driving over real quick.”
When?
Thursday afternoon → Saturday afternoon
Just in time to ruin both your Thursday optimism and your Saturday plans.
Why Should You Care?
Because:
- Teton Pass and Togwotee Pass will likely turn into slip-n-slides.
- Friday morning and evening commutes? Pack a lunch. And maybe a sleeping bag.
- Visibility: Imagine trying to find your car keys in a snow globe shaken by a disgruntled toddler.
And the NWS warns us of a “brief lull” sometime Friday, which is adorable. It’s the meteorological equivalent of a horror movie where the music stops right before things get really weird.
The Main Event: Friday Night → Saturday Morning
The heaviest snowfall is expected to roll in Friday night into Saturday morning, perfect timing for:
- Skiers
- Snowboarders
- And absolutely no one who has to shovel anything
Gusty winds of 20–30 mph will helpfully move all that new snow into artistic formations… mostly across roads, driveways, and anywhere you’d prefer it not be.
Charge your phones. Plug in the block heater. Prepare your shovel (or your snowblower, or your neighbor with the snowblower).
And as always…We’ll keep you posted here on Antlers Arch, your unofficial guide to the intersection of weather, sarcasm, and community survival.
Stay safe out there. Or at least stay upright.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
