Why does West Yellowstone get so cold?

Why is West Yellowstone so cold? West Yellowstone has a repuation for being one of the coldest locations in the continental US year-round. Snowstorms are even fairly common in the summer because West Yellowstone is a high mountain town stationed at over 6,000 feet above sea level on a plateau where storms often break.



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Because of its altitude, on average nearly 7,500 ft (2300 m) above sea level, Yellowstone has long, cold winters. Temperatures can drop below -40ºF (-40ºC) and several feet of snowfall is common throughout the park.

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Elk. Elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis) are the most abundant large mammal found in Yellowstone; paleontological evidence confirms their continuous presence for at least 1,000 years. Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, when market hunting of all large grazing animals was rampant.

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You can drive to Old Faithful. If you enter the park from the West Entrance, Old Faithful is 32 miles from West Yellowstone, the closest gateway city to the famous geyser. Plan on the drive taking between 45 minutes to over an hour.

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Flights to the nearest major airport — that of Jackson Hole, Wyoming — are typically cheapest between November and March, which is the park's low season. Prices for lodging begin to drop after Labor Day, once the summer crowds have diminished and children are back in school.

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You could easily take two weeks to explore Yellowstone (and you might want to after you spend a day here). To truly experience the best aspects of the park, you'll want to plan at least three days. But if you only have one day to spend in the park, you want to get the most out of your time here.

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Yellowstone National Park can get very crowded during peak season (June, July, and August). The best months to visit Yellowstone are April, September, and October. These “off season” months provide more chances to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and enjoy thinner crowds.

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Weather in August The weather in Yellowstone in August is usually hot during the day and cooler in the evening. The average temperature for Mammoth Hot Springs is a high of 79, and a low of 47 degrees Fahrenheit (26/ 8 degrees Celsius).

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