March was stormy and brought winter to all elevations. As the month began, snow fell to the valley floor which was the first time it was truly white. The landscape changed and March felt like January. Temperatures were different but storms and wind dominated much of the month and winter storm advisories were common. The white landscape allowed access to favorite ski destinations and the feel of … [Read more...]
February Nature News: National Elk Refuge, Grizzly Bear hunt, Wolf sighting near Shadow Mountain
Temperatures continued to fluctuate in February and all types of weather were experienced in Jackson Hole. More snow fell in the Tetons with valley weather a mix of snow and rain. This winter is being defined as mild with warm temperatures and a thin snowpack at lower elevations. A thin valley snowpack helps the wildlife and a great year for wildlife sightings such as this wolf seen near Shadow … [Read more...]
January: winter storms, wildlife, thin valley snow
January brought winter storms, wind, sun and rain. Typical weather except the thin snow pack on the valley floor. Playing in the mountains becomes a challenge when you have to navigate through the thick vegetation at lower elevations. This year, the temperatures are warm enough that the valley snow continues to melt so the usual white landscape is missing. That said, the wildlife seem quite … [Read more...]
December: Solstice, Christmas Bird Count, Elk on the move
The month of December begins with white peaks and a brown valley. The warm temperatures in November melted the valley snowpack so the month starts with biking and hiking at 6400 feet. By the third week, the Solstice brought winter back to Jackson Hole and over a foot of snow fell in the mountains and the valley landscape changed. Due to the low snow pack, elk are active and moving. Outside … [Read more...]
November: record temperatures, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens, month of gratitude
November has been a warm month with record temperatures. The beautiful weather has kept birds in the valley and they flock to my feeders. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens for ski season with warm temperatures, high avalanche danger and rain. November is the month of gratitude as we celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s also the time to comment as the federal government considers raising park entry fees … [Read more...]
March: BIGGEST winter on record in Jackson Hole! RAY of spring arrives to valley
Spring arrives on March 20 with blue skies, rain drops, Red Tail Hawks, Great Blue Herons and a deep snowpack. Winter 2016-17 in Jackson Hole left the deepest snowpack ever in the mountains and town broke the record for total precipitation. Bottom line, this was a BIG winter. If you visited, you know this. If not, it is hard to imagine. I travelled in February and came home to shovel for 1.5 … [Read more...]
February: wettest February on record in Jackson Hole!
Wow, what a month! Mother Nature and Old Man Winter have whipped and raged through the valley. Winter storms, driving rain, wind, and snow, more snow. All plant eaters: moose, deer, bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep are stressed. All carrion eaters and scavengers: wolves, lions, coyotes, eagles, ravens, magpies are dancing the happy dance. By the first week of February, we had received average … [Read more...]
January: Record snowfall in Jackson Hole! Old man winter descends on valley with feet of snow! RAY of white
Winter 2017 shapes up to be a big one. Snowbanks tower in town. Winds howl. Snow blows. Old man winter descends on Jackson Hole. The deep snow challenges the wildlife as they struggle for sufficient food and travel routes. RAY of white blankets the valley with hardly a twig peaking above the sage flats. Once the snow started to fall in December, it didn’t stop. After a delayed November opening … [Read more...]