Just a quick update to acknowledge the heavy snowfall rates Targhee and the west side of the Tetons are seeing this afternoon!

In my earlier post, I mentioned a jet stream maximum (known as a jet streak) setting up in a favorable position for heavy snowfall just north and east of the Tetons. The jet streak has now set up further south and lingered for longer than expected and is contributing to a narrow band of heavy snow over Targhee and the west side of the range.

So far, the Chief Joseph Bowl at Targhee is reporting 9 inches of snow and the snow stake cam at the base has between 7 and 8 inches of snow. Most of this accumulation has occurred since 10am, so we've had an extended period now of 2+ inch/hour snowfall rates.

The heavy snow has been localized, as snow amounts have been lighter elsewhere. The upper mountain plots at JHMR (which is closed) are reporting 4-6 inches of snow as of 3pm Tuesday, Surprise Meadow has 4 inches, and the weather station on the west side of Teton Pass only has an inch.

The band of heavy snow is still ongoing and will continue into early evening, so we could pick up another 1-4 inches in the Tetons before the action winds down.

If you're lucky enough to be at Targhee this afternoon, you're likely enjoying some fun turns and quickly improving conditions as the snow deepens. Thursday morning first thing will also offer fresh turns before the sun works over the new snow by Thursday afternoon.

Enjoy the bonus mid-April snow before we warm back up this weekend and next week!

My next full update will be on Friday (April 19).

Alan Smith

Summer Weather: How To Use OpenSnow

As the snow begins to melt and summer conditions quickly take over, remember that you can use OpenSnow as your go-to weather app during the non-winter months.

Get started by going to...

1. Favorites > Weather
2. Location > Weather
3. Maps > Weather

Switch to using your "Summer" favorites list, check the "Weather" tab on both the Favorites screen and any location screen, and avoid poor air quality & incoming storms with our summer-focused map layers in the OpenSnow app.

You can also view the hourly forecast for the next 10 days for any location on Earth in OpenSnow.

1. Go to the "Maps" tab.
2. Tap anywhere or search for a city.
3. Tap "View Forecast".

View → Summer Forecasts

Important Dates:

Snow King – CLOSED for the season (open for uphill access)

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort – CLOSED for the season (no uphill access)

Grand Targhee – Closing Day April 21

Grand Teton Park Road – Open for bike and foot traffic, closed to cars until May 1

Static Peak and Other Winter Wildlife Closures – in effect until May 1