Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Wyoming Storm Summary March 2-3

A pair of winter storms brought an extended period of snow, gusty wind, and much colder temperatures to the state on Monday and Tuesday. Casper received the lion's share of the snow with many places in town reporting over 10 inches of the white stuff. As much as 22 inches of fresh snow fell on Casper mountain while areas to the north received much less, but there were some wind gusts approaching 50 mph near the Montana border.
At one point early Tuesday morning, at least one section of each interstate was closed for at least several hours. As of Tuesday afternoon, a portion of Interstate 80 remained closed from Evanston to Rawlins. There is also expected to be a significant impact on newborn livestock as temperatures plummet as skies clear overnight. Luckily, a warming trend will begin by Wednesday with the high sun angle helping to melt the low elevation snow by the weekend, ushering in a return to high temperatures in the 40s to near 50 by the end of the weekend.

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Rapidly accumulating snow, gusty winds, blowing snow, and freezing road surfaces lead to widespread travel impacts and many road closures lasted well into the afternoon on Tuesday
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Casper was hit especially hard with much of the area reporting over 10 inches of snow!

Photo: Lona Patton, Evansville

  


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Snowfall Totals - March 2 - 3 
CountyStation NameSnowfall
Big HornBone Springs Divide Snotel3
Big HornPowder River Pass3
Big Horn26 E Lovell1
FremontDeer Park Snotel12
FremontFort Washakie9.5
FremontLander Airport8.6
Fremont1 SW Lander8.2
FremontLander6-8
FremontJeffrey City8
FremontTownsend Creek Snotel7
FremontSouth Pass Snotel7
FremontSt. Lawrence Alt Snotel7
FremontBeaver Rim6
FremontHobbs Park Snotel6
FremontBrooks Lake6
FremontRiverton COOP5.4
FremontRiverton Airport5.2
Fremont10 WNW Dubois5
Fremont2 W Riverton5
FremontDubois5
FremontCold Springs Snotel5
FremontBurris4
Fremont10 NW Riverton4
FremontCastle Creek Snotel4
Fremont10 NNE Riverton3
FremontBoysen Dam1
Hot SpringsThermopolis1-3
Hot SpringsKirby0.2
Johnson7 NE Buffalo4
Johnson4 SSW Buffalo1
JohnsonBuffalo0.7
Johnson17 E Kaycee0.5
Johnson17 NNW Kaycee0.1
LincolnHams Fork Snotel7
LincolnIndian Creek Snotel7
Lincoln5 SSE Smoot6
LincolnCommissary Ridge6
LincolnCottonwood Creek Snotel6
LincolnWillow Creek Snotel6
LincolnAfton4-5
Lincoln5 NNE Thayne4.5
LincolnFairview4.25
LincolnStar Valley Ranch4.1
LincolnBlind Bull Summit4
LincolnBlind Bull Summit Snotel4
LincolnSalt River Summit Snotel4
LincolnBox Y Ranch4
LincolnKelley Ranger Station Snotel4
LincolnAlpine4
LincolnSpring Creek Divide Snotel3
LincolnKemmerer1-2
NatronaEast Casper Mountain22
NatronaCasper Mountain Snotel14
NatronaSouth Casper9-12
NatronaReno Hill Snotel9
NatronaCasper Airport8.8
NatronaCasper6-9
NatronaPowder River4.5
NatronaGrave Spring Snotel2
ParkKirwin Snotel4
ParkTimber Creek Snotel2
Park2 WSW Cody2
Park3 NE Sunshine1.2
Park5 ESE Cody1
ParkCody0.5
Park3 W Wapiti0.3
SubletteLarsen Creek Snotel14
SubletteBig Sandy Opening Snotel12
SublettePocket Creek Snotel10
SubletteTriple Peak Snotel8
SubletteKendall Ranger Station Snotel6
SubletteGunsite Pass Snotel5
SubletteEast Rim Divide Snotel4
Sublette1 N Pinedale4
Sublette14 NW Pinedale2
SubletteBoulder Rearing Station1
SubletteSnider Basin Snotel1
Sweetwater27 N Table Rock12
Sweetwater7 SE Rock Springs7.5
SweetwaterWamsutter4
SweetwaterRock Springs1-5
Sweetwater7 SSE Rock Springs2.7
SweetwaterGreen River2.5
SweetwaterGranger2
SweetwaterWamsutter2
SweetwaterBuckboard Marina1
Sweetwater5 N Farson0.7
TetonTogwotee Pass Snotel8
TetonJackson Hole - Rendezvous Bowl6.5
TetonGrand Targhee Snotel6
TetonJackson Hole - Raymer5.5
Teton1 NNW Alta5.1
TetonBase Camp Snotel5
TetonTogwotee Mountain Lodge4
TetonGrand Targhee - Chief Joseph4
TetonJackson Hole - Mid Mountain4
TetonGros Ventre Summit Snotel4
TetonMoose4
Teton3 SSW Wilson4
TetonPhillips Bench Snotel3
Teton5 NW Jackson2.5
Teton4 SW Jackson2.2
Teton2 NE Teton Village2
TetonJackson Hole - Base2
TetonSnake River Stn Snotel1
Teton12 NE Jackson1
TetonSnow King1
Teton12 NE Jackson1
TetonDarwin Ranch0.5
Washakie16 SSE Ten Sleep5.5
Washakie5 NNW Ten Sleep4.1
WashakieTen Sleep3.5
WashakiePowder River Pass Snotel3
WashakieMiddle Powder Snotel3
WashakieWinchester0.1
YellowstoneTwo Ocean Plateau Snotel7
YellowstoneSnake River Ranger Station0.5
YellowstoneTower Falls Ranger Station0.3

Strongest Wind Banner

Strongest Winds March 2 - 3
CountyLocationWind (mph)
Big HornCOWLEY AIRPORT47
Big HornGREYBULL AIRPORT43
Big HornLOVELL40
FremontRIVERTON AIRPORT44
Johnson12 N KAYCEE52
JohnsonBUFFALO AIRPORT47
Johnson13 NNW BUFFALO45
Johnson25 ESE BUFFALO43
JohnsonKAYCEE43
Natrona2 SE HILAND45
Natrona20 N CASPER43
Natrona8 S CASPER41
Natrona7 W ALCOVA40
Park8 N MEETEETSE56
Park1 WNW POWELL46
Park3 W POWELL46
ParkPOWELL AIRPORT45
Park5 WNW CLARK41
Sweetwater15 SE ROCK SPRINGS46

Winter Weather Summary March 3 2015

SYNOPSIS: After southern Wyoming was grazed by a warm, moist system on Monday, a second much colder system approached the area from the north last night. Though the heaviest snow has finished falling, widespread light snow, blowing snow, and much colder temperatures to much of the state today and tomorrow.      
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Storm Impact Index
IMPACTS: For anyonetraveling, expect snow and wind to create slick roads and difficult driving conditions at times, especially along Interstate 80 east of Green River and along Interstates 25 and 90 from the Montana border through Casper. Mountain passes will also be affected, especially South Pass, Granite Pass, Powder River Pass, and through Wind River Canyon. Those with outdoor interests should also be prepared for continued cold, wet, and windy conditions. The low wind chills, gusty winds, and cold, wet conditions will also have an impact on newborn livestock through Wednesday Morning, especially in the low elevations of the Bighorn Basin and Wind River Basin with most areas dropping well below zero tonight. 


Warnings, Advisories and Snow Totals
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Current Winter Highlights 
Winter Storm Warnings are shaded in pinkWinter Weather Advisories are shaded in purple 
The Warnings and Advisories are for tonight and Tuesday.  
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Snow Forecast through Tuesday Afternoon
Storm Totals For Selected Areas
Riverton Area: 3-6"
Lander Area: 5-8"
Casper Area: 5-12"
Rock Springs: 2-4"
Cody Area: 1-3"
Thermopolis: 1-3"
Buffalo: 2-4"
Jackson: 1-3"
Mountains: 8-14"
Casper Mountain: 12-18"
Northern Bighorn Basin and Northern Wind River Basin: Less than 2"
Click or scroll down to "Forecast" to find the latest snow accumulation maps.

  


Wind Chill Index
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Sunday, March 1, 2015

Dramatic Temperatures Contrast across the U.S. in February 2015.

February 2015 was a noteworthy weather month.  In the western States including Star Valley, unseasonably warm temperatures were experienced. However the eastern U.S. suffered through one of the coldest February's on record. Following are maps illustrating the dramatic contrast from west to east.

February Average Temperature departure from Normal
Much of Western Wyoming was a good 10 degrees above normal for the month.

February average temperature ranking


Many areas in the western including Star Valley experienced the warmest February on record.
In the northeast it was one of the coldest ever recorded.

The following map of the departures from normal of the 500 mb heights clearly illustrates  the high pressure in the west and low in the east, favoring repeated invasions of Arctic air east of the Rockies for the month.


Thursday, February 26, 2015

Weekend should be cold with only a little snow for Star Valley

The weekend weather video for western Wyoming focuses on generally cold but little in the way of significant snow.



Weekly Weather Video 

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Spring 2015 Snowmelt Flood Potential-issued February 24th

Wyoming Spring 2015 Snowmelt Flood Potential---issued February 24th

Quick Synopsis:

Mountain snowpack and associated snow water equivalents (SWEs) across northern Wyoming were generally above average by late February; while SWEs across southern Wyoming basins were generally below average.  SWEs at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations (8,000’ – 9.500’) were thehighest across the Powder, Bighorn, and Upper Green Basins at 115 to 135percent of median.  The Little Snake and Sweetwater Drainages had SWEs at70 to 75 percent of median at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations.


This outlook is based on various diverse hydrological factors such as snow water equivalents (SWEs) in the mountain snowpack, basin morphology (i.e. how basins respond to snowmelt runoff),  antecedent soil moisture, amount of bark beetle kill, low elevation snow depths, and likely temperature and precipitation trends during late spring/early summer.


HIGHLIGHTS:

…Low to Moderate potential for flooding associated with snowmelt is expected across headwater streams along the western Big Horn Mountains. Streams with the highest potential for snowmelt flooding include Medicine Lodge Creek, Ten Sleep Creek (Ten Sleep), and portions of the Nowood River…

…All other of headwater basins across Wyoming can expect a generallyLow potential for flooding due to springtime snowmelt...

The next graphical outlook will be issued around the 25th of March. 

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Other hydrological information for Wyoming can be found at the NOAA hydrology website:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/?n=cms_hydro

Monthly Wyoming Hydrologic Summary and Graphics:
(updated monthly around the 15th of every month)

Wyoming Drought Information Page:
(updated at least once a month)


Wyoming Graphical Water Supply Outlook:
(updated by the 15th of every month—January-June)

Wyoming Average Precipitation by Basin:
 (updated monthly)

Wyoming Spring Snowmelt Runoff Flood Potential Graphic:
(updated around the 25th of the month---January-May)
Current and Forecast Wyoming Streamflows and/or River Stages:


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The current Wyoming Spring 2015 Snowmelt Runoff Flood Potential Outlook graphic:



Sunday, February 22, 2015

Snowfall Totals Feb 20-21 2015

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
907 PM MST SAT FEB 21 2015

...SNOWFALL TOTALS FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM BROUGHT SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL TO PORTIONS OF WESTERN
AND CENTRAL WYOMING. BELOW ARE PRELIMINARY SNOWFALL TOTALS THROUGH
THE DAY SATURDAY. ADDITIONAL DATA WILL BE ADDED SUNDAY MORNING...
WITH A FINAL TOTAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

NOTE...SNOTELS (SNOW TELEMETRY) ARE REMOTE SENSING SITES IN HIGH
MOUNTAIN WATERSHEDS.  SNOWFALL DATA FROM SNOTELS IS ESTIMATED BASED
ON SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT.


LOCATION                             SNOWFALL
LINCOLN COUNTY...
 COMMISSARY RIDGE...                  3 INCHES.
 WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL...               3 INCHES.
 COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL...           3 INCHES.
 2 SE THAYNE...                     2.5 INCHES.
 KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL...      2 INCHES.
 3 SE BEDFORD...                      2 INCHES.
 SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL...          2 INCHES.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT...                 2 INCHES.
 SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL...        2 INCHES.
 STAR VALLEY RANCH...                 2 INCHES.
 FAIRVIEW...                        1.8 INCHES.
 AFTON...                             1 INCH.
 BOX Y RANCH...                       1 INCH.
 5 SSE SMOOT...                       1 INCH.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL...          1 INCH.
 FOSSIL BUTTE...                      1 INCH.
 HAMS FORK SNOTEL...                  1 INCH.
 INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL...               1 INCH.
 LA BARGE...                        0.5 INCHES.

BIG HORN COUNTY... SHELL CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. BONE SPRINGS DIVIDE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BALD MOUNTAIN SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. GREYBULL... 0.6 INCHES. BASIN... 0.5 INCHES. FREMONT COUNTY... 4 WSW LANDER... 14 INCHES. 6 SW LANDER... 12 INCHES. 9.5 SW LANDER... 10 INCHES. 9 SSE LANDER... 10 INCHES. DEER PARK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. LANDER AIRPORT... 6.3 INCHES. LANDER... 4 TO 6 INCHES. HUDSON... 5 INCHES. ST. LAWRENCE ALT SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. TOWNSEND CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. BROOKS LAKE... 4 INCHES. RIVERTON... 3.1 INCHES. BURROUGHS CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. 5 N RIVERTON... 3 INCHES. RIVERTON AIRPORT... 2.4 INCHES. ATLANTIC CITY... 2.1 INCHES. HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SOUTH PASS SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. CROWHEART... 2 INCHES. LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. 14 NW RIVERTON... 2 INCHES. 10 NNE RIVERTON... 1.6 INCHES. BURRIS... 1 INCH. COLD SPRINGS SNOTEL... 1 INCH. BOYSEN DAM... 1 INCH. HOT SPRINGS COUNTY... THERMOPOLIS... 2 TO 3 INCHES. OWL CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. 9 NE THERMOPOLIS... 0.4 INCHES. JOHNSON COUNTY... CLOUD PEAK RESERVOIR SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. LITTLE GOOSE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. BEAR TRAP MEADOW SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. SOLDIER PARK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. HANSEN SAWMILL SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BUFFALO... 3.1 INCHES. 12 SSE BUFFALO... 2 INCHES. NATRONA COUNTY... GRAVE SPRING SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. RENO HILL SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. CASPER MOUNTAIN SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. CASPER... 3 TO 4 INCHES. MIDWEST... 3 INCHES. CASPER MOUNTAIN... 3 INCHES. 10 WSW CASPER... 2.5 INCHES. PARADISE VALLEY... 1.6 INCHES. 11 ESE CASPER... 1.3 INCHES. PARK COUNTY... 3 NE SUNSHINE... 3.2 INCHES. WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. 26 SW CODY... 3 INCHES. MEETEETSE... 3 INCHES. TIMBER CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. 5 ESE CODY... 2.2 INCHES. 3 W WAPITI... 2 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. 2 WSW CODY... 2 INCHES. EVENING STAR SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. 4 ENE POWELL... 1 INCH. PAHASKA... 1 INCH. 3 NE CLARK... 0.8 INCHES. 4 SE CODY... 0.7 INCHES. SUBLETTE COUNTY... BIG PINEY... 3.5 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. POCKET CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. 1 SW PINEDALE... 2 INCHES. ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN... 1 INCH. LARSEN CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 1 INCH. BONDURANT... 0.3 INCHES. SWEETWATER COUNTY... ROCK SPRINGS... 1 INCH. TETON COUNTY... TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - RAYMER... 5 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 4 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - MID MOUNTAIN... 4 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. 3 SSW WILSON... 3 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE - CHIEF JOSEPH... 3 INCHES. GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 3 INCHES. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. 4 SW JACKSON... 2 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - BASE... 2 INCHES. 1 ENE TETON VILLAGE... 1.5 INCHES. MOOSE... 1 INCH. SNOW KING... 1 INCH. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 1 INCH. JACKSON... 1 INCH. DARWIN RANCH... 0.6 INCHES. WASHAKIE COUNTY... MIDDLE POWDER SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. 7 E TEN SLEEP... 11.5 INCHES. POWDER RIVER PASS SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. 16 SSE TEN SLEEP... 4.8 INCHES. WINCHESTER... 2 INCHES. 27 S TEN SLEEP... 1.8 INCHES. 4 N TEN SLEEP... 1.7 INCHES. 8 SW WORLAND... 0.5 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE EAST ENTRANCE... 1.5 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER RANGER STATION... 1.5 INCHES. LAMAR RANGER STATION... 1 INCH. LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 1 INCH. TOWER FALLS RANGER STATION... 0.5 INCHES.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Snow Returns this Weekend

SYNOPSIS: After a couple of mild days, a series of Canadian Cold Fronts will push southward across the state beginning Friday morning. Snow, possibly mixed with rain at times, will then push southward during the day Friday. Widespread snow will be found across the state by late Friday afternoon or early Friday evening. Another cold front will then bring the next round of snow, beginning Saturday morning. Snow could then continue through the day Saturday, and linger through Saturday night. Snow will then generally diminish from north to south Sunday morning, however, could linger across far southern Wyoming during the daytime hours. Very cold air is then expected behind these fronts, with high temperatures struggling to get into the mid to upper teens on Sunday for areas east of the divide. No matter your plans for the weekend, make sure to check for the latest forecasts and hazards for this winter storm. Many of the latest forecast details can be found below.     
IMPACTS: For anyone traveling this weekend, expect snow and wind to create slick roads and difficult driving conditions at times. Those with outdoor interests should also be prepared for drastically changing weather conditions along with moderate to heavy snow, especially across the Wind River, Absaroka, and Bighorn Mountains.
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: Daytime accumulations on Friday will generally remain light across the lower elevations east of the divide. The mountains of central and northern Wyoming could see moderate to heavy snow at times on Friday and thorugh the weekend. The second front that pushes through Saturday will then bring widespread measurable snow to most areas. Overall new snow accumulations by Sunday morning of 1 to 2 feet across the central and northern mountains will be possible, with 2-6 inches across the lower elevations east of the divide, and 1-5 inches across the lower elevations west of the divide. Areas near Lander could also see locally higher amounts of 5-10 inches by Sunday morning.     

Advisories and Snow Amounts
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Current Advisories 
Bighorn Mountains, Absaroka Mountains, and eastern Wind River Mountains Winter Storm Warning valid through 5 AM Sunday morning (Absaroka Mountains expires at 5 PM Saturday evening).
Lander Foothills Winter Storm Watch from 5 AM Saturday morning through 5 AM Sunday morning.
Yellowstone National Park, Cody Foothills, Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains, and southwest Bighorn Basin Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM Friday evening through 5 PM Saturday evening (Yellowstone National Park expires 5 AM Saturday morning).
Click or scroll down to "Forecast" to find the latest Watches, Warnings, and Advisories.
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Friday Through Sunday Evening Snow Forecast 
Storm Totals For Selected Areas
Riverton Area: 3-5"
Lander Area: 5-10"
Casper Area: 2-5"
Rock Springs and Green River Basin: 2-5"
Cody Area: 2-6"
Thermopolis: 1-4"
Buffalo: 2-5"
Jackson: 1-3"
Wind River, Absaroka, & Bighorn Mountains: 1-2 Feet
Western Mountains: 5 to 12"
Click or scroll down to "Forecast" to find the latest snow accumulation maps.

  



Storm Timing 
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Model Depiction of Temperature (background image) & Wind (arrows, the longer the tail of the arrow, the stronger the wind) at the 10kft level and Precipitation (spotty image).
The loop advances in 6 hour time steps, beginning at 5 am Friday and ending on Monday at 5am. The time stamp in the bottom right hand corner shows the valid time in "Z Time"  (where 00Z = 5pm and 12Z = 5am MST)
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Cold air to return Sunday: This image shows the forecasted High Temperatures for Sunday. Notice how highs will struggle to get out of the teens.

Click or scroll down to "Forecast" to find the latest high and low temperature maps.


Travel is expected to be adversely impacted with Interstate delays or closures expected, several passes and side roads could also see extended times of difficult travel and/or closures as well. If you plan to travel this weekend, especially Friday night and Saturday, then we recommend checking the conditions along your route and staying on top of road closures here. If you are on Twitter, follow the hashtag: #WyoRoad for the latest weather affecting roads and road conditions in and around Wyoming. 

  

Traveling This Weekend? 
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