Weather in West Yellowstone

Planning your visit to West Yellowstone? In this section, you will find the latest weather information, including current data and forecasts, to help you plan your stay in the best possible way.

The climate in West Yellowstone is sharply continental, with severe, snowy winters and short but warm summers. It is characterized by significant annual and daily temperature fluctuations. One of the key features is the low total amount of precipitation throughout the year (1-3 mm per month), although days with light precipitation, especially snow in winter, occur quite frequently.

The winter season, spanning from December to March, brings stable freezing weather, when the average air temperature holds around -8°C...-9°C, along with frequent but usually not heavy snowfalls. Spring (April-May) is a time of rapid warming, although night frosts are still not uncommon, and May sees the highest number of days with precipitation. Summer, from June to August, is the warmest period: the average temperature in July and August is +15°C...+16°C, and daily highs can reach +24°C. These are also the driest months, especially July. Autumn (September-November) is characterized by a rapid drop in temperature and the return of more frequent precipitation, preparing the town for the new winter.

West Yellowstone experiences a distinct change in temperature regimes throughout the year. The coldest months are traditionally January and February, when the average air temperature hovers around -8.8°C...-8.9°C. During these months, night lows can drop to -12.3°C...-12.7°C, while daily highs rarely rise above -5°C. In contrast, the peak of warmth occurs in July, when the average temperature is +16.4°C, and the daytime air can warm up to +24.3°C. August is also very warm, with an average temperature of +15.4°C and maximum values up to +22.8°C.

Summer months in West Yellowstone, especially July and August, are characterized by pleasant warmth during the day, but nights remain cool. Average minimum temperatures in July and August are around +8.0°C...+8.5°C, creating a significant daily temperature range. Even in June, when the average daytime temperature reaches +17.9°C, night values drop on average to +3.9°C. This feature makes summer evenings and mornings quite fresh, which should be taken into account when planning outdoor activities.

The winter period, from December to February, is distinguished by stable frosty weather. Daytime temperatures in these months usually range from -5.1°C to -5.2°C, and night frosts are the norm, with temperatures dropping to -12.3°C...-12.7°C. Transitional seasons also demonstrate significant temperature fluctuations. For example, in October, the average temperature is only +2.2°C, with night frosts down to -3.2°C, while in May, the average temperature is already +3.9°C, but night minimums can still be negative (-1.7°C).

Precipitation in West Yellowstone is distributed throughout the year with certain peculiarities. The town does not experience a distinct rainy season; however, the amount of precipitation and the frequency of its occurrence vary by month. In general, the total monthly amount of precipitation remains low, usually not exceeding 3 mm, but days with light precipitation can be quite frequent, especially during certain periods.

The highest amount of precipitation, 3 mm each, is recorded in February, May, and June. At the same time, May stands out as the month with the maximum number of days with precipitation – on average 17 days, making it the "wettest" month in terms of frequency. February is also distinguished by a high frequency of precipitation (15 days). On the other hand, July and August are the driest months, receiving only 1 mm of precipitation each. July and September also see the fewest days with precipitation – 8 days in each.

The type of precipitation in West Yellowstone is directly linked to the air temperature. In the cold months – from November to March inclusive – when average temperatures are consistently below freezing, precipitation falls primarily as snow. In transitional seasons, such as April and October, mixed precipitation is possible: both snow and rain, as daytime temperatures can rise above freezing while night temperatures drop below. From May to September, during the warmer period, precipitation usually falls as rain, although the total amount, especially in mid-summer, is minimal.

When packing for West Yellowstone, it is important to consider significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year and even throughout the day. The key principle when packing should be layering. In winter (from December to March), you will need very warm clothing: thermal underwear, fleece sweaters, a down jacket or insulated parka, windproof and waterproof pants and jacket, as precipitation falls as snow. Do not forget a warm hat, scarf, gloves or mittens, as well as insulated waterproof shoes with non-slip soles. Average temperatures during these months fluctuate around -8°C...-9°C, with night frosts down to -12°C.

In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather is changeable. It can be relatively warm during the day, but nights remain cold, and frosts and mixed precipitation (rain with snow) are possible. Take a waterproof jacket, a warm sweater or fleece, several layers of clothing that can be removed or put on, and comfortable waterproof shoes. In summer (June-August), days are usually warm, with the average temperature in July and August reaching +15°C...+16°C, and daily highs can rise to +24°C. However, evenings and nights can be cool (down to +8°C), so a light jacket or sweater will come in handy. Be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as the sun can be active even at moderate temperatures. Despite the low total amount of precipitation, a light raincoat or umbrella can be useful, especially in May and June.

Regardless of the season, for walking around West Yellowstone and the surrounding areas, you will need comfortable closed-toe shoes, preferably broken-in. Given the frequent, albeit not heavy, precipitation in some months (for example, 14-17 "wet" days in winter and spring months), water-repellent properties of outerwear and shoes will be a big plus. Also, do not forget personal hygiene items and a small first-aid kit with basic medications.