Heavy Snow — Sierra Madre Range, Wyoming

2023-01-26 to 2023-01-30 · Sierra Madre Range, Wyoming

Event narrative

Numerous SNOTELs estimated between 30 and 70 inches of snowfall over the multiday period. Whiskey Park SNOTEL (elevation 8950 feet) estimated 70 inches of snowfall over the 84 hour period with 3.5 inches of snow water equivalent and 20:1 snow to liquid ratios.

Wider weather episode

A multi-day period of snowfall across much of southeast Wyoming areas receiving over 6 inches of snowfall while mountain area received multiple feet of snow accumulation. Additionally, blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall led to a large scale, multi-vehicle accident along Interstate 80 between Laramie and Rawlins resulting in multiple injuries and one fatality. Interstate 80 was closed for an extended period of time due to winter conditions and crashes.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1072179. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.