Winter Storm — Sheridan Foothills, Wyoming

2022-04-11 to 2022-04-12 · Sheridan Foothills, Wyoming

Event narrative

Snowfall of 4 to 7 inches was reported across the area.

Wider weather episode

A cold front on April 9th followed by a very cold airmass across the region on the 10th and 11th, were important components to this winter storm. Relatively cold air was already in place when a strong Pacific system arrived across northern Wyoming in the Billings Forecast Area. The combination of strong upper level ascent, deep easterly (upslope) winds and temperatures (record cold temperatures) favoring dendritic snow growth led to intense snowfall rates on the night of the 11th and morning of the 12th. The upper level low deepened and tracked slowly as it moved from Wyoming into the Dakotas.

The combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds caused significant blowing and drifting snow, especially across southeast Montana and northeast Wyoming where the winds were the strongest. Some livestock were lost due to the snow, cold and wind. In addition, road closures delayed travel across much of the area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1018040. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.