Winter Climate and Clothing
Winter temperatures often hover near zero (-20 C) throughout the day but may reach highs in the 20s (-5 C). Subzero over-night temperatures are common. Occasionally, warm "chinook" winds will push daytime temperatures into the 40s (5-10C), causing significant melting of snowpack--especially at lower elevations. Yellowstone also typically experiences periods of bitterly cold weather. The lowest temperature recorded in Yellowstone was -66F (-54 C) near West Yellowstone on February 9, 1933. Annual snowfall averages near 150 inches (380 cm) in most of the park. At higher elevations, 200-400 inches (5-10 m) of snowfall have been recorded. At any time of year, be prepared for sudden changes; unpredictability, more than anything else, characterizes Yellowstone's weather.