Weather in Yellowstone

[Cup_fan]

Looking at going to Yellowstone the last week of May. I understand that the weather anywhere is a crapshoot. But I was wondering, as a general rule of thumb, what to expect. Would like to hear from some folks who have been there around the Memorial Day time frame, and what kind weather you experienced.

[TxGearhead]

Thanks, I doubted GTTS road was going to be open and I wasn't planning on driving it with the cabover anyway.
I'll watch the website and maybe call. I may combine this trip with another in September.

[coolmom42]

Don't expect Going to the Sun Road to be open until very late this year, maybe July. They have a terrific snow pack. It may be partially open earlier.

There is a road status page on the park web site. Almost all other roads were open in May this year. Call the park office and ask for someone knowledgeable.

[agesilaus]

Glacier would be really problematic in May. Going to the Sun Rd will most likely still be snow bound. And it seems like they schedule road maintenance to fix the winter damaged road as soon as the roads get opened. So even when the snow clears the roads may still be closed by repair work.

[TxGearhead]

I'm considering the same thing...Yellowstone in May, then on to Glacier. Can I assume they plow the roads clear if it does snow? I'm basically just driving through and stopping overnight wherever, whenever I have to.
US HWY 287 trip...Port Arthur TX to Browning WY.

[Busskipper]

jalichty wrote:
A few years ago, first week of June, we took a couple of our grandsons to Jackson Lake for a week and traveled to Yellowstone one day for sightseeing. While we were there it did snow on us, but not a great deal and we only had on light coats as the weather was fine overall. By the way, it also snowed at Jackson Lake as well, getting up one morning with an inch or two on the ground. Not a big deal as it soon melted off and we went fishing and had a great time. Don't let the threat of a little bad weather deter you from taking a trip that you will remember for a lifetime.

I don't consider snow to be bad weather - it actually is Beautiful when you are Lucky enough to catch it in Yellowstone - Just Beautiful!

Actually it looks pretty good in All the Parks we have been lucky enough to catch it in,

Best of Luck,

[RGar974417]

We were there middle of May this year. Temps were high 50's and low 60's during the day, 30's at night. We had no snow but there was snow on the ground especially at the southern end of the park. We had a little rain one night.Great time to go.

[jalichty]

A few years ago, first week of June, we took a couple of our grandsons to Jackson Lake for a week and traveled to Yellowstone one day for sightseeing. While we were there it did snow on us, but not a great deal and we only had on light coats as the weather was fine overall. By the way, it also snowed at Jackson Lake as well, getting up one morning with an inch or two on the ground. Not a big deal as it soon melted off and we went fishing and had a great time. Don't let the threat of a little bad weather deter you from taking a trip that you will remember for a lifetime.

[WantoWander]

I'm also interested in hearing about past experiences for weather in late May/early June.

I'm planning to be there around the same time, but thinking maybe I should delay to the second week of June. We'll be traveling to Mt. Rushmore and SD Badlands when we leave Yellowstone.

[Busskipper]

Cup fan wrote:
Looking at going to Yellowstone the last week of May. I understand that the weather anywhere is a crapshoot. But I was wondering, as a general rule of thumb, what to expect. Would like to hear from some folks who have been there around the Memorial Day time frame, and what kind weather you experienced.

Just look here

Best of luck,

[2gypsies1]

According to the Yellowstone park site the 'average' is 35-60 degrees with an 'average' of 1.5" of snow for May. Every year is different. You take your chances. You will, however, have few crowds to deal with and lots of baby critters to view. 🙂

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/weather.htm

[JoeGood988]

Lots of snow possible through May...they don't shovel out campsites. We've been there mid May and still 2-3' of snow....Usually you have to go to lower elevation for camping like Jackson Hole or Teton Park

[Jerseydevil]

Was there last week of June last year. Early morning was 30 degrees, went up to mid 70's. Would think May is colder. Enjoy.

[agesilaus]

WE have been snowed on twice on different July the 4th in YNP. So expect anything other than hurricanes.

[bobjogone]

Arrived to work there in 2011 May 20th to 3 feet of snow on ground in campground