How cold does it get in Jackson Hole, WY & Yellowstone National Park?

Whew! It has been chilly here in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Last week, our valley froze still with temperatures dropping to -30° F. The type of cold that immediately freezes your nose hairs upon stepping outside. The type of cold where your car reluctantly starts and the idea of leaving your house is simply scary. The Snake River tried its best to freeze over, despite being a tailwater, exiting from the bottom of Jackson Lake at much warmer temperatures than the ambient air.

Just outside of our valley to the north, Yellowstone National Park boasted even colder temperatures. At our beloved Old Faithful, a low of -40° was recorded on Jan 20, 2025. All we can say is this - we look forward to warmer temperatures, watching Old Faithful erupt with guests in just a couple months!

These brutally cold temperatures, however, are not an anomaly. Each year, the Jackson Hole and Yellowstone regions face arctic blasts and valley inversions that push temperatures down to -30° F, and sometimes much colder! Our record low temperatures are jaw-dropping! Let’s explore some climate history of our region.

What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Jackson Hole?

On Feb. 9th, 1933 Moran, Wyoming, located on the north end of Jackson Hole, by the north entrance of Grand Teton National Park, experienced a record-low of -63° F. 

What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Yellowstone?

On the same day in 1933, Old Faithful recorded a record-low of -66° F.

Yellowstone Day Tours’ second home of West Yellowstone, MT experienced the same temperatures that day at -66° F. This set the record for the lowest recorded temperature for any residential community in the contiguous United States

Looking back at the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s record-lows, it makes our -30° and -40° days seem not-so-bad! However, with over 6 feet of snow in the forecast for the Teton Mountain Range this week, warmer temperatures are incoming and we are still thankful. Typically, winter moisture in our valley raises the temperatures and clears inversions that hold the cold air.

We are still operating Winter Wildlife and Scenic Tours everyday out of Jackson, WY. Surprisingly, these cold days can be a remarkable time to see wildlife and experience the resilience of the animals that call this valley home. Come along for a great, warm way to spend a day in Jackson Hole, WY!