Packing for predicted weather in July ?
 

Help !! We're from Florida where the weather is already in the 90's each day. The family is heading out to Jackson Hole on July 4th, then driving up through Yellowstone, going home on July 16th. According to the Weather Map for Jackson Hole and West Yellowstone, the prediction is for the 60's to 70's during the day and 40's in the night ....pretty chilly for Floridians. Is this weather pattern normal? We're trying to figure out just what to pack.....shorts or sweaters and jeans?

The 70s seems a lot warmer when you're walking up a mountain trail.

We will be there at the same time and we are taking shorts, jeans, shirts to layer, light jackets but no sweaters.

HTTY

The 70s seems a lot warmer when you're walking up a mountain trail.

We will be there at the same time and we are taking shorts, jeans, shirts to layer, light jackets but no sweaters.

HTTY

Twice for emphasis !! I think you have the right idea. I just spoke with a friend who is in Jackson Hole now. She says the weather is 75 and beautiful. There is little humidity out there. So, shorts, capris and jeans, light jackets, maybe a sweather or sweatshirt and I think we're good. She did tell me that up by West Yellowstone it is colder than in Jackson Hole.

Have a great trip. Wave in passing !

What a difference a week makes. I just got back from Wyoming and then Montana and it snowed on us in Jackson last week. We each packed 2 pair of shorts, crops and jeans - along with dress pants for nights out - and only wore the jeans and long pants. I packed three pair of sandals, winter Columbia slides, fleece lined Crocs and tennis shoes. I wore my Columbias with socks every day. I took a cotton sweatshirt and fleece sweatshirt - and wore one or the other every day but one. We only had one day warm enough for no jacket/sweater. We had all (four of us) packed more summery clothing and all wore our winter clothing.

I hope the good weather holds but would advise to take at least one full "warm" outfit for "just in case". We flew into Jackson and out of Kalispell and spent time in the Tetons, Yellowstone, southern Montana and around Glacier NP. It was a great trip, just a cool one. We were thrilled with that given the temps at home :-)

I just got back from Jackson Hole so let me give you an update. I'm from TX so I have similar weather to FL.

Jackson was in the low 70's to low 80's every day we were there except the last day, which was upper 60's. The nights are cool and you'll need a sweater for sure. I had a convertible and I was able to use it everyday.

Yellowstone is a bit cooler than Jackson. The mornings start off rather cool and rainy, around 55 to 60 degrees and you'll need a light jacket. There are also quite a few mosquitoes in the morning while it is still overcast, but they disappear in the afternoon. The afternoons are delightful, around 65 to 70 degrees. I didn't need a jacket from around noon until 5 PM in Yellowstone. If it's full sunny you may be able to wear shorts and t-shirts.

I would not bring or wear sandals for several reasons. First is the morning mosquitoes, second you will be hiking so you'll need something that is made for that activity and the rocky/uneven terrain.

My attire was jeans and short sleeved shirt with socks and hiking boots. I then pulled out a sweater at night or a jacket if it rained.

By the way, enjoy! Should be a great break from the heat and humidity as it was for me!

Jackson Hole is at 6200 ft elevation. You can predict it will be much cooler at night. Some times it even snows in higher elevation.

Bring a variety of clothes that can be layered. Including a fleece-type jacket or top. Closed shoes with socks to avoid the mosquitoes. A pair of long pants for mosquito control and cool evenings.

Agree with above posters. I'd wear jeans with socks and hiking shoes each day. Wear a short sleeved shirt and bring a sweater to put in the trunk of the car along with a rain jacket and you'll be fine. When the evening comes, put on the sweater.

I don't think you'll be too warm in jeans and a t-shirt except if you're doing a lot of hiking. Then I'd wear shorts and t-shirt and bring something along just in case.

Great advice. I'll forget the sandals. Jeans, short sleeve shirts, fleece jacket, hiking shoes and socks. Also, rain gear. I think I have it covered. Apparently, no one dresses too differently for dinner?

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

Has anyone gone white water rafting out of Jackson? Are the rapids more than a category 3. If so, we won't go.

The water was really fast in Jackson on the river (Snake) last week. The ferry at Moose was not running because the river was too fast. They expected to be able to get back in the water "in a few days" but it depends on rainfall and snowmelt.

The float trips will be on calm water. Just don't choose the whitewater rafting trips. We were there for three days and saw VERY few rafts on the water because the river was running really fast.

I just reread your question. You asked specifically about whitewater rafting. Call the rafting company you want to use and ask for their prediction for July 4th timeframe.

Thanks, good plan.

I like the hiking pants that unzip and convert to shorts. If they get wet they tend to dry very fast as well.

Jeans are really impractical. They don't dry very quickly when wet.

But if you don't get wet, they are great.
We didn't get wet on the trip.

I saw those pants that zip off to shorts in mail order catalogs but have never seen them in the stores. Neat but pricey.

Just called Wyoming/Montana to confirm all bookings and they confirmed that pants, short sleeve tops, jackets are in order......all said only one pair of shorts for a Floridian.

Thanks for all your input. We're getting excited.

Have a great time. We loved the weather! Atlanta was having a heat wave, with temps nearing 100 while we were wearing sweatshirt and loving the sunshine with no humidity. The one day that was warm enough without a jacket was the day we went to a minor league baseball game in Billings. As soon as the sun started to set, everyone pulled out their fleece.

Grab some Off towelettes when you get there or bring some from home. The mosquitoes bothered us a little bit, but only for a couple of the days. The worst was at Flagg Ranch the night between the Tetons and Yellowstone. It's really just spring out there and the mamas are out with their babies. The flowers in Jackson were tulips. The baseball game was the opening season game. You'll be going back a season to spring - and it was bliss! :-)

You can find those zipoff pants at about any sports store. I bought some at Acadamey not long ago. The hiking shirts are really more comfortable as well. Plus they all have great pockets everywhere. A lot of the long sleeve hiking shirts have a thing half way up the sleeve to allow you to roll you sleeves up and then button it off. I didn't find them pricey at all. Columbia, etc makes these items.