It’s snowing in Yellowstone—on the first day of summer.
Snow can happen any month of the year in the national park, where wildlife has adapted to fluctuations in climate.
Near Yellowstone National Park — People have long been enchanted by this land, and it’s easy to see why: Nowhere on Earth has such a stunning display of wildlife, matched with an incredible assortment of geologic activity in the form of hot springs and geysers. It really is, as it was referred to in its early days, a wonderland.
As of Friday, it’s officially summer in Yellowstone, and all manner of animals are out, breeding, eating grass, hunting, running, lounging, menacing, cowering, playing, rejoicing. Yellowstone is alive. And guess what? It’s snowing!
That’s right. The weather forecast had warned of snow and temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit on the summer solstice, the unofficial first day of summer. Sure enough, we’ve got eight inches of fresh powder here in southwestern Montana, an hour from the entrance to the national park in West Yellowstone.
Though it may seem surprising, such extreme weather is part of the climate in Yellowstone, where snow can fall any month of the year.
Yet David Alder, an independent park guide who’s lived near West Yellowstone for 13 years, says that such a heavy snow is uncommon, happening to this degree maybe once every five years.
“But we’ll get a skiff of snow every month, just a slight bit—one or two inches that will melt off quickly,” he says. But “this is heavy and thick and this is sticking... this will wreak havoc on a lot of tourists right now.” (Read about the Yellowstone most tourists never see.)
Likely more than 800,000 tourists will visit Yellowstone in June—and with that comes all the confusion of so many people suddenly finding themselves in a place that is truly wild. (If you are not careful, for example, you can very easily be killed by a bear.)
The snow could also make life tougher for many young animals, just born this spring. Many feed on grass that’s now buried under nearly a foot of snow, Alder says. The cold also presents and added stressor that could kill some animals, especially baby birds. But, he adds, most of Yellowstone’s animals are built to survive such weather fluctuations.
Weather extremes are also a major part of Yellowstone history.
Old Faithful Inn, located near the iconic geyser of the same name, has a Christmas celebration every August 25. Park lore suggests that guests were stranded at the inn in the early 20th century by a freak blizzard, and hence started the tradition.
While that story has been disputed, I can tell you with complete certainty that it is snowing in Yellowstone—on the summer solstice.
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
Science
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
Travel
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park