What to Do When Weather Delays Your Video Shoot
Unexpected weather can throw off even the most organized video shoot. In places like Jackson, Wyoming, where winter doesn't always follow the rules, flipping skies and sudden whiteouts can turn a production day into a waiting game. Schedules shift, crew sits idle, and momentum can get lost fast. Knowing this is part of the deal doesn’t make it easier, but having a plan does.
Weather delays aren’t always a dead end. With the right approach, they can be handled smoothly without putting the whole shoot at risk. Being flexible, making quick decisions, and keeping communication open can go a long way during winter production mishaps. Here's how Wyoming video producers can stay ahead when mother nature tries to take over the call sheet.
Monitoring Weather Conditions
Having a handle on the forecast goes way beyond checking your phone the morning of a shoot. Especially in Jackson, where mountain weather can change quickly, you need sources that are accurate and up to date. Apps like Windy, local radar maps, and regional news forecasts offer more detail than the basic weather summary. Spend a few extra minutes scanning radar and trend charts to get a feel for what's coming.
It helps to:
- Check the forecast regularly during the week leading up to the shoot
- Track hourly predictions the day before and the morning of
- Set alerts for snowstorms, freeze warnings, or strong wind advisories
- Know the elevation of your filming location since weather can shift significantly even over short distances
Don’t stop checking once you get started. If you’re filming over multiple days or moving to a high-elevation area, conditions might flip mid-shoot. By staying updated throughout the day, you’ll be ready to pivot if needed without losing half a day just trying to reassess.
Flexibility In Scheduling
Trying to pack too much into a frozen-tight schedule is asking for trouble. If there's anything that helps during winter filming in Wyoming, it’s having some breathing room built in. That buffer day can end up saving your entire project.
It’s smart to plan for:
- One extra day in your schedule if snow or icy road conditions limit access
- Moving scenes that require solid light or open skies to more flexible time slots
- Shooting B-roll while waiting for better weather to return to key scenes
- Keeping talent and crew in town for a little longer than just the shoot day
You don’t need to treat your schedule like it’s made of glass. Shoots that are too rigid tend to break down first when weather doesn’t cooperate. Even just telling your team upfront that timing might shift slightly if the storm rolls in keeps expectations grounded. That mindset can make the whole production less stressful when things go sideways.
Save high-effort setups like drone shots and open mountain scenes for when the forecast truly looks steady. If there's even a hint of a storm rolling through, it’s better to bump those scenes than force things and risk losing valuable equipment or endangering the crew.
Backup Plans And Locations
Outdoor locations might look great on a clear day, but you always want to have at least one backup that’s more weather-proof. Even if you’re focused on a mountain setting or wide winter landscapes, you can find options close by that offer shelter while still staying on theme.
Here’s how to line up solid backups:
- Scout alternative indoor spaces you can easily shift into without long travel
- Check with local property owners or venue operators for holding space if bad weather kicks up
- Choose locations with nearby covered areas like porches, lean-tos, or barns
- Make sure everyone on the team knows about the backup options before shooting starts
One example is a crew that was filming an ad spot just outside Jackson. Halfway through the day, heavy fog rolled in. Instead of calling it off, they moved to a rustic indoor location they had pre-cleared. The mood still matched, the footage worked, and no time was wasted.
Your backup doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be functional, safe, and close enough to not derail the entire day. Little adjustments like this keep the workflow moving even when you can't shoot the original plan.
Communication And Coordination
When the weather takes a sudden turn, the biggest time-saver is quick and clear communication. If the crew doesn’t know where to go or what's happening next, you're more likely to deal with missed calls, delays, and added stress. You don't need a huge system in place—just a reliable way for the team to stay connected and updated throughout the day.
Group messaging apps like WhatsApp or Slack are solid choices. Even a group text chain works if everyone checks it regularly. You’ll want to keep messages brief but specific. Let people know if the call time shifts, if you're pulling gear back into shelter, or if you're relocating to a backup spot. The faster that kind of info gets out, the fewer dominoes fall on the rest of the day.
Call sheets should already have basic contact info, but go a step further and create a shared digital folder that includes:
- A direct link to each alternative location
- Updated versions of the shot list or schedule
- Access notes or parking instructions for indoor backups
- Estimated timing for break periods if you're stuck waiting out a storm
When you're working in spots like Jackson, it's also smart to pick a crew lead or production assistant whose main job is to keep things running on the communication side. That person can monitor forecasts, call in location changes, and update the team while the director and camera team focus on the visuals.
Keeping Equipment And Crew Prepared
Weather delays are one thing. Equipment damage or a freezing, exhausted crew is another. If a storm rolls in and you’re mid-shoot, you'd better have ways to protect both your gear and your team. Lightweight pop-up tents, waterproof bags, and heavy-duty tarps can keep cameras covered and intact. Don’t just throw a jacket over a tripod and hope for the best.
Keep your kit stocked with:
- Lens wipes and microfiber towels for snow or frost buildup
- Cable ties and bags to stop cords from soaking through
- Reusable heat packs to keep batteries from draining in the cold
- Foam padding or thermal wraps for gear that stays outside
Beyond the gear, take care of your people. Crew members working long hours in freezing wind or wet snow can start to slow down fast. Bring backup gloves, wool socks, waterproof boots, and extra layers in case someone shows up unprepared. Hot drinks and a running heater nearby go further than you'd think. If you're filming in an open space with no building nearby, parking a heated van on standby gives people a place to warm up between takes.
A shoot day in deep winter feels long enough already. Don’t let cold fingers or fogged lenses make it drag even more.
Staying Productive Amidst Delays
Just because you're stuck in a holding pattern doesn't mean the day’s wasted. Some crew members may have nothing to do until the snow lets up, but many others can stay busy prepping, sorting, or planning. That time adds up, especially if delays span more than a few hours.
You can use that down time to:
- Review earlier footage and flag scenes that need pickups
- Rehearse audio or blocking with talent inside a heated space
- Check settings on gear and reset memory cards
- Sync up with heads of department about the upcoming shoot days
- Update the shot list based on shifting skies or lost time
If you're working with a client on-set, it's also a good chance to regroup and make sure everyone’s still aligned. Run through the moodboard again, check that the visuals so far match your expectations, or brainstorm ways to shift scenes so you don’t have to reshoot.
Keeping up momentum during a delay helps keep the crew focused and ready to jump back in when the skies clear. Momentum is hard to rebuild once it’s gone, so the more you can stay in rhythm—even if the cameras aren’t rolling—the smoother the reboot will go.
Weathering the Unplanned with Confidence
Winter work in Wyoming brings plenty of tricky moments, and the weather will almost always throw a few surprises at you. But that doesn’t mean your shoot is doomed when the first snow hits the lens. Solid planning, flexible thinking, fast communication, and some warm boots can keep things running, even when visibility drops.
Being mindful of how fast conditions change around places like Jackson can save hours. Whether you're running a small crew or a full production setup, the shoots that bounce back quickest from delays are the ones that stay flexible and steady. Work like this takes some grit, but when the footage comes together and tells the story the way it should, it's worth every rearranged scene and out-of-nowhere snow squall.
Weather can be unpredictable, but having a professional team makes all the difference. Trust Après Visuals to navigate these challenges with precision. Discover how our expertise as Wyoming video producers can keep your winter projects on track and capture stunning visuals despite the elements. Let's create something remarkable together.