News Flash

Be Prepared for Winter Weather

Emergency Management Posted on October 25, 2025

Teton County Emergency Management wants you to Know Before You Go this winter. This means to plan ahead, be aware of potential hazards, and take responsibility for your own safety during outdoor pursuits. Read on for tips to help you know before you go this winter.

Check the forecast. 

Make checking the weather forecast a part of your regular routine. Always check the forecast from the National Weather Service, local forecasters, your weather app of choice before you head outside. Bookmark our local National Weather Service forecast office's winter weather page (https://www.weather.gov/riw/winter). Remember to also check the daily avalanche forecast from the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center at https://bridgertetonavalanchecenter.org/. 

Make sure you are getting weather alerts. 

Consider purchasing a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio with an automatic alerting feature. It will read you the forecast at the touch of a button, and will play an alert tone with a message for weather- and non-weather-related alerts. Alternately or in addition, the free FEMA app allows you to follow weather alerts in up to five locations. Simply download the app, allow notifications, and set your location to 83001 (if in Teton County, WY).

Understand winter weather terminology.

Weather and avalanche forecasts and alerts are full of unique vocabulary. Each term has a specific and significant meaning. Here are three common terms you might see from the National Weather Service in the winter:

Winter Storm Warning

Heavy snow, heavy sleet, an ice storm, and/or blowing snow is expected in the next 12-24 hours. These warnings are issued when confidence is high that a winter storm will occur and cause significant impacts.

Winter Storm Watch

Snow, sleet, ice, and/or blowing snow is possible in the next 12-48 hours and you should be prepared. These watches are issued when confidence is medium that a winter storm will occur and cause impacts.

Winter Weather Advisory

Wintry weather is expected and you should be prepared for impacts, especially to travel. Light amounts of wintry precipitation or patchy blowing snow will cause slick conditions.

Check road conditions and closures.

Before hitting the road, check closures and conditions along your route.  In Wyoming you can call 5-1-1 for current conditions and closures or download the free Wyoming 511 app. To get a better sense for how roads are looking, open the WYDOT 511 map at https://map.wyoroad.info/511-map/ and view the web cameras layer. Be proactive by signing up for 511 notify to get road closure and condition alerts along the routes you select. Visit https://511notify.wyoroad.info/511Notify/login.

Act on the information.

Use the information you have compiled from weather and avalanche forecasts, weather alerts, and road closures/conditions to evaluate the safety and viability of your plans. Adjust to avoid being outside during extremely cold weather, high/gusty winds, winter storms, and high avalanche danger. If storms are severe or roads are not in good shape, consider postponing non-essential travel, taking an alternate route, or taking public transit.

Prepare for the unexpected.

Dress for the outdoors even if you don’t think you’ll be outside much. When traveling, avoid going alone when possible and let someone know your timetable and route(s). Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving-related tasks and emergencies, including:

  • Snow shovel and ice scraper; 
  • Extra windshield wiper fluid with de-icer;
  • Abrasive material (sand or kitty litter); 
  • Jumper cables;
  • Flashlight and warning devices (flares and emergency markers); 
  • Blankets and/or layers of warm clothing; 
  • Cell phone and battery pack/charger;
  • Water, food, and any necessary medicine;
  • A full tank of gas.

RESOURCES

There is much more to know about winter weather and roads. Check out the resources below for information and ideas, and stay safe this winter.