Jackson Hole WY Forecast: Why the Dry Spell Isn't the Whole Story

Jackson Hole. The name alone usually conjures images of waist-deep powder and white-knuckle descents down Corbet’s Couloir. But if you’re looking at the jackson hole wy forecast for mid-January 2026, things look a little different than the brochures.

Honestly? It's been a weird year.

We started January with what locals call the "Teton Trickle"—a storm that basically hit the refresh button every single day for a week. Between January 4 and January 6, the resort got hit with back-to-back 7-inch dumps. It was magic. Then, the ridge of high pressure moved in and parked itself right over the Tetons.

Now, we’re staring at a dry spell that’s making everyone a bit twitchy.

The Inversion Factor: Warm Peaks, Cold Valleys

Right now, the most important thing to understand about the jackson hole wy forecast isn't just the "sunny" icons. It’s the temperature inversion.

Usually, the higher you go, the colder it gets. Physics, right? Well, not this week. High pressure has trapped cold air in the valley floor while the mountains are soaking up unseasonable warmth.

• The Valley Floor: Expect highs in the upper 20s or low 30s.
• The Peaks (10,000+ ft): Temperatures have been climbing into the mid-30s.

It feels counterintuitive. You’re shivering in the town square, but by the time you hit the top of the tram, you’re shedding layers. On Friday, January 16, a weak cold front is actually expected to break this inversion. Ironically, this means the valley might warm up to 35°F as the stagnant air gets stirred, while the mountains finally drop back into the low 20s.

Real Talk on Snow Conditions

Is it still worth skiing? Absolutely.

Even with the dry spell, the season total at the summit has already pushed past the 200-inch mark. The mid-mountain depth is sitting around 149 inches, which is actually decent for mid-January.

The groomers are in "packed powder" mode. That's ski-speak for "fast and firm." You won't find those deep, face-shot turns right now, but the coverage is solid. The real concern is for the lower mountain. Because December was so warm and rainy, the valley-level snowpack is still well below average. If you’re planning on bushwhacking through the trees at the base, maybe bring the rock skis.

Experts like the crew over at Buckrail are keeping a close eye on a potential shift around January 21. The high pressure is finally showing signs of weakening. By the weekend of January 24, the models are starting to whisper about actual snow returning.

What to Watch Out For

Driving in the Tetons is always a gamble, even when the sky is blue.

1. Black Ice: Recent road reports from US 191 and Hoback Junction have been flagging "slick spots with black ice." Don't let the sun fool you; the shadows in the canyon stay frozen all day.
2. Wind: Even on sunny days, the "gusting winds" near the mountain passes can be enough to trigger travel advisories for high-profile vehicles.
3. The Morning Chill: Lows are hovering near 2°F, but they can dip into the negatives if the cloud cover clears.

Actionable Tips for Your Trip

If you're heading out this week, don't just pack for a blizzard.

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Layer for the Inversion. Wear a high-quality hardshell but keep your mid-layers breathable. You’ll be sweating on the upper mountain and freezing in the lift line at the base.

Watch the "King and Queens of Corbet's" Window. If you're planning for February, keep February 7-14 on your radar. The weather patterns typically shift back to active cycles by then, which is why they schedule the big competitions for that window.

Check the Teton Village Cams. Before you buy that day pass, look at the live cams for the "Mid-Mtn" and "JH Tram" stations. It’ll tell you if the clouds are stuck in the valley (a "cloud sea" effect) or if it's actually overcast everywhere.

Basically, the jackson hole wy forecast for the rest of this week is a waiting game. The mountains are holding onto a solid base from early January, and while the "Teton Trickle" has paused, the long-range signal says the storms are coming back. Be patient. The powder always returns to the Hole.

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For the most accurate daily updates, keep an eye on the NWS point forecasts specifically for Teton Village, as the town of Jackson weather can be 10 degrees different than what's happening at the resort.