Re: Yellowstone Roads To Remain Closed Overnight Due To Spring Snowstorm

Heavy snowfall from a strong spring storm has closed roads in Yellowstone National Park to travel. The roads will be closed through the night, and will be evaluated by park staff on Thursday morning.

The section of road from Norris to Canyon was the first to close shortly after 10 o’clock this morning. By 3:00 p.m. the roads from Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris and Madison, and from West Yellowstone to Madison and Old Faithful were all closed to travel.

The only road currently open to travel is the road from the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana to Mammoth Hot Springs and east toward Tower Junction, the Northeast Entrance, and Cooke City, Montana. This section of road is not typically maintained between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.

The balance of the park’s roads and entrances have yet to open for the season.

Staff members at Canyon report that commercial power is out and that they received as much as a foot of new snow during a two hour period this afternoon. The Old Faithful area is also operating on a back-up electric generator, with staff members there saying it is difficult to estimate the snowfall from the storm because of the blowing and drifting occurring in the area.

The National Weather Service in Riverton, Wyoming has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for a large area including Yellowstone National Park which is in effect until midnight Wednesday. The forecast calls for snow showers on through the weekend.

Yellowstone National Park staff will evaluate the weather and road conditions Thursday morning and will reopen roads to travel when it is safe to do so.

Visitors to the park this time of year should be prepared for a wide range of winter and spring weather conditions, including plows clearing snow from the roads, and temporary road closures.

Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.

Changing Road Conditions In Yellowstone

Late season snows have descended on Yellowstone, and will make travel somewhat difficult in some areas of the park for the next few days. Park visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, including temporary road closures and delays.

Roads are being plowed and re-opened as conditions allow. Snow tires are advised and may be required at times. Please call 307-344-2117 at any time for up-to-date road information. Current forecasts call for gusty winds and snow squalls with conditions beginning to improve slightly on Friday.

All interior roads were closed Wednesday afternoon. The road from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful re-opened at 10:00 a.m. today; the roads from Madison Junction north to Norris, Mammoth, and Canyon, may open later today if conditions allow. Visitors should be prepared for the roads to close at any time if conditions deteriorate.

The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, to the Northeast Entrance and Cooke City, Montana is open year-round. Interior park roads normally open this time of year include: the West Entrance to Madison Junction to Old Faithful; the North Entrance south to Norris and Madison Junction; and Norris east to Canyon.

When the road segments are open, limited facilities are available at Old Faithful, Canyon, and Mammoth Hot Springs. A complete list of facility and road closing dates can be found on the web at http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/open_closedates.htm.

We highly recommend that visitors check the following resources before traveling:

***Yellowstone’s 24-hr road update line at: 307-344-2117
***National Weather Service forecast for Yellowstone and Grand Teton: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/?n=ynp_gtnp
***WYDOT Road Information 888-WYO-ROAD or http://www.wyoroad.info/
***M-DOT Road Information 800-226-7623 or http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/