The following is a link the the weather briefing for the week ahead prepared by the Riverton Forecast Office.
Weekly Weather Briefing-June 27 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Lightning Safety
Jim Steenburgh of University of Utah and blogger for
Wasatch Weather Weenies posted a timely discussion on the dangers of lightning.
Lightning Safety
Being that this is Lightning Awareness Week, and that we have a good chance of thunderstorms today, the time is ripe to do a post on lightning safety.
The national statistics of lightning fatalities are both sobering and revealing:
- 261 deaths by lightning strikes from 2006–2013
- A breakdown by activity includes 30 fishing, 16 camping, 14 boating, 14 ranching/farming, 13 beach, 12 soccer, 12 yardwork, and 8 golfing.
- Males accounted for 81% of the fatalities and more than 90% of the deaths in fishing and sports categories.
In Utah, there have been 65 lightning fatalities since 1950, more than any other thunderstorm-related hazard. Others have survived, but have suffered debilitating injuries.
In many ways, lightning safety is similar to avalanche safety. Education and awareness help, but one ultimately needs to recognize the risk and take appropriate action. Monitor the forecast and keep an eye on the sky. If a storm is approaching or you can hear thunder, move to a completely enclosed building (picnic shelters are not good enough) or a hard-topped automobile. If you are recreating, get off the water, get below timberline, find the lowest spot possible, etc. One note of caution: the lowest spot possible could expose you to a flash flood, so do the best you can to minimize the risk.
Peer pressure and other factors can be hard to overcome in many circumstances. I've attended little league soccer and baseball games where there was a rumble or two of thunder and the inertia to keep the game going was very high. In these instances, everyone should be moving to hard-topped vehicles until the threat has passed. Ditto if you are at an outdoor concert or event (see Gratz and Noble 2006 for some sobering reading, although I suspect that the awareness of stadium and venue managers has improved some in recent years).
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| Source: Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |
I know from personal experience that in practice lightning safety is often challenging. Nobody likes to crawl out of their tent and move to their car at 2 am. Further, many Utah storms only produce a few bolts of lightning, so adjusting plans for a rumble here or there is difficult. In these instances, resist the temptation to push it (especially you males out there) and move indoors or into a hard-topped vehicle.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Weekly Weather Briefing June 19 2014
The weekly weather video from Riverton Forecast Office highlights warmer and drier weather ahead.
Weekly Weather Briefing June 19 2014
Weekly Weather Briefing June 19 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Summary of June Snow Storm in Western Wyoming 2014
June Snow Storm Summary
A strong upper level low pressure system, combined with an equally strong cold front, brought rain and snow across the Cowboy State during the evening of June 16th, through June 17th, and even continuing into June 18th. Most of central and western Wyoming experienced some form of precipitation, with snow across much of western and portions of southern Wyoming. Areas as low as 6100 feet saw snow (Green River and Rock Springs area saw a trace to 0.5 inches of snow), Evanston in southwest Wyoming recieved 3.5 inches of snow, and generally 6 to 9 inches of snow could be found across the western mountains. See the snow totals below for the latest reports.
Is June Snow uncommon in Wyoming? Recent records show that June snow isn't as uncommon as one may think, especially across the western mountains. In fact there have been significant late May or June snow events 3 of the last 5 years. The most recent occured on May 31st 2013 when portions of the Big Horns recieved 3 feet of snow, and June snow occured in the western mountains in mid June of 2012. June snow across the lower elevations of Wyoming is more uncommon, but does occur as Casper, Lander, and Riverton have all recorded snow in June.
This strong system will exit the region by Thursday. Summer officially arrives this weekend, and more normal weather conditions can be expected.
| County | Station Name | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Big Horn | Bald Mountain Snotel | 3 |
| Fremont | Deer Park Snotel | 5 |
| Fremont | Hobbs Park Snotel | 4 |
| Fremont | Little Warm Snotel | 3 |
| Fremont | Cold Springs Snotel | 2 |
| Lincoln | Indian Creek Snotel | 6 |
| Lincoln | Cottonwood Creek Snotel | 4 |
| Lincoln | Blind Bull Summit Snotel | 3 |
| Lincoln | Spring Creek Divide Snotel | 3 |
| Lincoln | Willow Creek Snotel | 3 |
| Lincoln | Kelley Ranger Station Snotel | 3 |
| Lincoln | Salt River Summit Snotel | 2 |
| Lincoln | Blind Bull Summit | 0.1 |
| Park | Kirwin Snotel | 5 |
| Park | Beartooth Lake Snotel | 4 |
| Park | Blackwater Snotel | 2 |
| Park | Marquette Snotel | 2 |
| Park | Evening Star Snotel | 1 |
| Sublette | Gunsite Pass Snotel | 9 |
| Sublette | Loomis Park Snotel | 6 |
| Sublette | Elkhart Park G.S. Snotel | 5 |
| Sublette | Pocket Creek Snotel | 4 |
| Sublette | Triple Peak Snotel | 2 |
| Sublette | Big Sandy Opening Snotel | 2 |
| Sublette | Kendall Ranger Station Snotel | 2 |
| Sublette | New Fork Lake Snotel | 2 |
| Sublette | East Rim Divide Snotel | 1 |
| Sublette | Larsen Creek Snotel | 1 |
| Sublette | Daniel Fish Hatchery | 0.5 |
| Sublette | 14 NW Pinedale | 0.5 |
| Sublette | Pinedale | 0.3 |
| Sweetwater | 7 SE Rock Springs | 0.4 |
| Teton | Togwotee Pass Snotel | 7 |
| Teton | Grand Targhee Snotel | 5 |
| Teton | Gros Ventre Summit Snotel | 5 |
| Teton | Grassy Lake Snotel | 2 |
| Teton | Jackson Hole-Rendezvous Bowl | 1 |
| Teton | Jackson Hole-Mid | 0.1 |
| Teton | Jackson Hole-Raymer | 0.1 |
| Yellowstone | Two Ocean Plateau Snotel | 6 |
| Yellowstone | Parker Peak Snotel | 3 |
| Yellowstone | Lewis Lake Divide Snotel | 2 |
| Yellowstone | Thumb Divide Snotel | 1 |
| Yellowstone | Sylvan Lake Snotel | 1 |
| Yellowstone | Sylvan Road Snotel | 1 |
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Beneficial Precipitation for Western Wyoming
Snow as expected fell in the mountains of Western Wyoming Monday night with substantial rain in the lower elevations. The greatest snow observed was at the Box Y Ranch with 7 inches. Additional showers with possible snow to the floor of Star Valley are expected tonight into Wednesday morning. Following is a summary prepared by the National Weather Service in Riverton WY.
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
1012 AM MDT TUE JUN 17 2014
A STRONG PACIFIC COLD FRONT BROUGHT VERY COLD TEMPERATURES...SNOW
AND RAIN TO WESTERN AND CENTRAL WYOMING YESTERDAY...THROUGH THIS
MORNING. BELOW IS A LIST OF LOCATIONS THAT HAD MEASURABLE RAIN AND
SNOW OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS.
...LATEST SNOWFALL REPORTS...
LOCATION AMOUNT TIME/DATE
...WYOMING...
...BIG HORN...
BALD MTN. (9380 FT) 3.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
5 NW GRANITE PASS (9350 FT) 2.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
17 E SHELL (9580 FT) 2.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...FREMONT...
18 W LANDER (10100 FT) 3.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
13 W FORT WASHAKIE (8620 FT) 3.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
5 WSW DUBOIS (9370 FT) 3.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
13 W CROWHEART (9630 FT) 2.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
12 SW LANDER (8700 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
10 NW SOUTH PASS CITY 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
17 NE DUBOIS (8400 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...HOT SPRINGS...
39 W THERMOPOLIS (8975 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...JOHNSON...
15 W BUFFALO (8720 FT) 2.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
CLOUD PEAK (9860 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
POWDER RIVER PASS (9480 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
15 WSW BUFFALO (8360 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
14 WNW MAYOWORTH (8200 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...LINCOLN...
BOX Y RANCH (6650 FT) 7.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
15 NE COKEVILLE (8180 FT) 4.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
8 NE AFTON (8450 FT) 3.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
SALT RIVER SUMMIT (7600 FT) 2.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
15 E COKEVILLE (7840 FT) 2.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
...NATRONA...
CASPER MTN (7850 FT) 3.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
22 SE CASPER (8500 FT) 1.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
28 N WALTMAN (8550 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...PARK...
17 SW MEETEETSE (7950 FT) 3.0 IN 0500 AM 06/17
18 SW CODY(8760 FT) 2.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
PARKER PEAK (E. YNP) (9400 FT) 2.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
SYLVAN LAKE (8420 FT) 2.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
KIRWIN SNOTEL (9550 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
N. ABSAROKA MTS(7650 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
14 NE PAHASKA(9200 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
1 SW CANYON (8090 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
4 W PAHASKA (7120 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...SUBLETTE...
17 NW SOUTH PASS CITY 4.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
NEW FORK LAKE (8340 FT) 3.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
EAST RIM DIVIDE (7930 FT) 3.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
20 E BONDURANT (7740 FT) 2.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
10 E BIG SANDY (9080 FT) 2.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
16 E BOULDER (9360 FT) 1.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
SNIDER BASIN (8060 FT) 1.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
28 WNW BIG PINEY (8500FT) 1.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
...TETON...
2 WNW TETON VILLAGE (8179 FT) 4.0 IN 0915 AM 06/17
32 ESE JACKSON (8750 FT) 3.0 IN 0100 AM 06/17
10 N BONDURANT (6770 FT) 3.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
8 NNE MORAN JUNCTION (7030 FT) 2.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
2 S GRANT VILLAGE (7980 FT) 1.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
2 NE TETON PASS (8200 FT) 1.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
TOGWOTEE MTN LODGE (9184 FT) 1.0 IN 0900 AM 06/17
...WASHAKIE...
30 SE TEN SLEEP (7760 FT) 1.0 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...LATEST RAINFALL OR SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT REPORTS FOR LOCATIONS
BELOW 7800 FEET IN ELEVATION...ONLY LOCATIONS THAT RECEIVED A TENTH
OF AN INCH OF RAIN ARE INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT...
LOCATION AMOUNT TIME/DATE
...BIG HORN...
DEAVER - COOP (4105 FT) 1.10 IN 0730 AM 06/17
...FREMONT...
6 NW DUBOIS (7189 FT) 0.64 IN 0915 AM 06/17
DUBOIS (6955FT) 0.42 IN 0600 AM 06/17
DUBOIS (6980FT) 0.40 IN 1009 AM 06/17
11 W CROWHEART (6520 FT) 0.27 IN 0845 AM 06/17
BURRIS (6120FT) 0.12 IN 0600 AM 06/17
...LINCOLN...
SALT RIVER SUMMIT (7600 FT) 1.20 IN 0800 AM 06/17
6 ENE SMOOT(7600 FT) 0.80 IN 0900 AM 06/17
S ALPINE(5676 FT) 0.68 IN 0915 AM 06/17
3 NW ETNA (5692 FT) 0.67 IN 1009 AM 06/17
STAR VALLEY RANCH (6200 FT) 0.65 IN 0800 AM 06/17
1 SE THAYNE (6086 FT) 0.63 IN 0700 AM 06/17
ETNA (5823 FT) 0.57 IN 0956 AM 06/17
BEDFORD - COOP (6425FT) 0.56 IN 0700 AM 06/17
THAYNE (5928 FT) 0.53 IN 1007 AM 06/17
AFTON (6234 FT) 0.51 IN 0700 AM 06/17
AFTON (6267 FT) 0.48 IN 1000 AM 06/17
AFTON - COOP (6245FT) 0.46 IN 0800 AM 06/17
SMITHS FORK NEAR BORDER 0.41 IN 0930 AM 06/17
COKEVILLE (6191 FT) 0.40 IN 1006 AM 06/17
13 E COKEVILLE(7460 FT) 0.28 IN 0830 AM 06/17
...PARK...
4 W PAHASKA (7120 FT) 0.70 IN 0800 AM 06/17
19 SSW WAPITI (6200 FT) 0.68 IN 0900 AM 06/17
EAST ENTRANCE YELLOWSTONE NP 0.68 IN 0807 AM 06/17
PAHASKA (6696FT) 0.60 IN 0700 AM 06/17
MAMMOTH (6300 FT) 0.54 IN 0915 AM 06/17
E PAHASKA (7500 FT) 0.47 IN 0957 AM 06/17
TANTALUS CREEK NEAR NORRIS JCT 0.42 IN 0930 AM 06/17
PAHASKA (6800FT) 0.40 IN 0900 AM 06/17
N. ABSAROKA MTS(7650 FT) 0.40 IN 0800 AM 06/17
3 SW RALSTON (4575FT) 0.39 IN 0945 AM 06/17
WAPITI (5400FT) 0.37 IN 0915 AM 06/17
2 WSW CODY (5161 FT) 0.36 IN 0500 AM 06/17
2 E RALSTON (4485 FT) 0.36 IN 0700 AM 06/17
3 W POWELL (4505 FT) 0.35 IN 1011 AM 06/17
CRANDALL CREEK -COOP 0.33 IN 0800 AM 06/17
1 WNW POWELL(4386 FT) 0.27 IN 1000 AM 06/17
CHIEF JOSEPH HWY MILE 9 0.26 IN 0912 AM 06/17
TOWER FALLS(6266 FT) 0.25 IN 0915 AM 06/17
POWELL (4370FT) 0.25 IN 0800 AM 06/17
1 ESE CODY (5088 FT) 0.22 IN 0722 AM 06/17
SW MEETEETSE (6238 FT) 0.21 IN 0700 AM 06/17
2 N FRANNIE (4275FT) 0.17 IN 1010 AM 06/17
1 W GARLAND(4288 FT) 0.16 IN 0700 AM 06/17
1 W POWELL (4462 FT) 0.15 IN 0935 AM 06/17
3 NE CLARK (4090FT) 0.15 IN 0800 AM 06/17
MEETEETSE (5797FT) 0.14 IN 1008 AM 06/17
MEETEETSE (5762 FT) 0.14 IN 0900 AM 06/17
3 N POWELL (4398 FT) 0.14 IN 0400 AM 06/17
LAMAR RANGER STATION(6555 FT) 0.14 IN 0800 AM 06/17
5 WNW CLARK (4659FT) 0.10 IN 0949 AM 06/17
...SUBLETTE...
PINE CREEK ABOVE FREMONT LAKE 1.34 IN 0945 AM 06/17
20 E BONDURANT (7740 FT) 1.20 IN 0900 AM 06/17
15 WNW DANIEL (7747 FT) 0.55 IN 0700 AM 06/17
BONDURANT (6650 FT) 0.55 IN 0900 AM 06/17
2 NW BONDURANT (6726 FT) 0.54 IN 0951 AM 06/17
10 NNW DANIEL (7470FT) 0.44 IN 0830 AM 06/17
6 WNW CORA (7464FT) 0.43 IN 0600 AM 06/17
DANIEL FISHHATCHERY - COOP 0.38 IN 0800 AM 06/17
PINEDALE (7310 FT) 0.37 IN 0900 AM 06/17
BOULDER LAKE (7350 FT) 0.25 IN 0900 AM 06/17
3 NW BOULDER (7050FT) 0.15 IN 0700 AM 06/17
BOULDER REARING STATION - COOP 0.15 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...TETON...
8 NNE MORAN JUNCTION (7030 FT) 1.10 IN 0900 AM 06/17
8 W SOUTH ENTRANCE YNP 0.90 IN 0900 AM 06/17
BECHLER RANGER STATION -COOP 0.70 IN 0800 AM 06/17
SOUTH ENTRANCE YNP (6900 FT) 0.65 IN 0830 AM 06/17
5 S OF SOUTH ENTRANCE YNP 0.63 IN 0830 AM 06/17
15 NNE GRANDTARGHEE (6830 FT) 0.62 IN 1003 AM 06/17
SOUTH ENTRANCEYNP (6920 FT) 0.60 IN 0900 AM 06/17
4 SW JACKSON (6073 FT) 0.60 IN 1003 AM 06/17
4 W SOUTH ENTRANCE YNP 0.58 IN 0845 AM 06/17
OLD FAITHFUL (7360 FT) 0.58 IN 0800 AM 06/17
7 E MORAN JCT (7251 FT) 0.57 IN 0952 AM 06/17
OLD FAITHFUL (7320FT) 0.54 IN 0915 AM 06/17
4 N MOOSE (6730 FT) 0.54 IN 0958 AM 06/17
SNAKE RIVER AT JACKSON LAKE 0.53 IN 0845 AM 06/17
ALTA (6430 FT) 0.53 IN 0845 AM 06/17
KELLY (6663 FT) 0.51 IN 0700 AM 06/17
2 ENE WILSON (6184 FT) 0.48 IN 1008 AM 06/17
HOBACK JUNCTION (5928FT) 0.48 IN 1002 AM 06/17
OOSE - COOP (6445 FT) 0.47 IN 0845 AM 06/17
3 WNW JACKSON (6269 FT) 0.45 IN 0730 AM 06/17
2 NNE TETON VILLAGE (6339 FT) 0.45 IN 0700 AM 06/17
JACKSON (6247 FT) 0.44 IN 1007 AM 06/17
1 ENE MOOSE (6496 FT) 0.41 IN 0700 AM 06/17
MORAN JUNCTION (6749 FT) 0.38 IN 1009 AM 06/17
3 SSW JACKSON (6158 FT) 0.36 IN 1006 AM 06/17
JACKSON (6240 FT) 0.34 IN 0845 AM 06/17
10 N BONDURANT (6770 FT) 0.20 IN 0800 AM 06/17
...WASHAKIE...
30 SE TEN SLEEP (7760 FT) 0.40 IN 0800 AM 06/17
Sunday, June 15, 2014
SNOW!
there could be a scene like this by Wednesday morning in the nearby mountains.
The culprit in this setback is the low pressure trough now approaching the Pacific Northwest which will develop southeastward as the large high pressure ridge moves into the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
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| WV Imagery Sunday AM 6/15/2014
A sequence of 500 mb forecast charts illustrates the develop of the upper low pressure toward Wyoming by midweek.
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The forecast precipitation for the next 3 days through Wednesday morning indicates that significant amounts could occur in much of western Wyoming, particularly in the vicinity of Yellowstone NP.
Finally the following is a forecast sounding over Star Valley for Wednesday at sunrise
This sounding supports snowfall down to the valley floor in western Wyoming, including Star Valley.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Final Wyoming Water Supply Outlook for the Season
Final Wyoming Water Supply Outlook for Water Year 2014
…Wyoming May precipitation was 83 to 88 percent of average...
...Current water year precipitation near 115 to 125 percent of normal across Wyoming…
…Early June mountain snowpack (above 9,000 foot elevation) across Wyoming is 140 to 180 percent of median...
…Above normal snowmelt streamflow volumes are expected this for the rest of the summer across a majority of basins in Wyoming...
…Wyoming reservoir storages are around 102 percent of average for early June…
May precipitation totals across Wyoming were nearly 83 to 88 percent of average. Precipitation numbers varied at near 140 percent of normal over the Laramie Watershed to near 54 percent of normal over the Snake River Basin. Current water year (October 2013 - May 2014) precipitation totals across Wyoming were 115 to 125 percent of average.
Mountain snowpack across Wyoming above the 9000 foot elevation was 140 to180 percent of median by early June. Snowpack "water" numbers and/or SWEs continued to be the highest across northeast central Wyoming—varying between 150 to near 190 percent of median. SWEs were the lowest over southwestern Wyoming and over the Sweetwater Basin---varying from 75 to 85percent of median.
Above normal (110 to 130 percent) snowmelt streamflow volumes are expected for the rest of the summer across almost all major basins across Wyoming. Well above average streamflow volumes (140 to 160 percent) are expected across the Powder…Tongue…and Shoshone Watersheds. Below average streamflow volumes during the rest of the summer are still forecasted for the Little Wind and Sweetwater River Basins.
Reservoirs storages across Wyoming have increased to just above average for early June.
The latest Wyoming water supply outlook graphic:
Weekly Video Weather Briefing-June 12 2014
Below is the link to the weather briefing from the Riverton WFO
Weekly Weather Briefing-Riverton Forecast Office
Weekly Weather Briefing-Riverton Forecast Office
Monday, June 9, 2014
Southwest Monsoon
The Las Vegas Weather Forecast Office has produced a good video on the Monsoon and what to expect.
Filling Up
The lakes and reservoirs are filling rapidly across much of western Wyoming and southeastern Idaho as the snow melt and runoff continues. Following is the status of the water levels as of June 8 2014 across the region.
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| Water Levels in Reservoirs and Rivers June 8 2014 |
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Lake Levels Rising
As expected the ongoing above normal runoff is rapidly filling both Palisades and Jackson Lakes.
Following is the graph for Palisades as of June 4th compared with both normal and last year.
Already levels are well above last year at the same time when runoff was about over. All indications are that levels will exceed normal levels soon and by July the lake should be nearly full.
Same with Jackson Lake:
Following is the graph for Palisades as of June 4th compared with both normal and last year.
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| Palisades Reservoir |
Same with Jackson Lake:
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| Jackson Lake
Levels are rising rapidly and by July should be nearly full.
As of June 4th Palisades was about 60 percent of capacity and Jackson 80%.
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