Winter Storm — Bighorn Mountains Southeast, Wyoming

2023-01-26 to 2023-01-28 · Bighorn Mountains Southeast, Wyoming

Event narrative

Up to 13 inches of new snow fell in the eastern Bighorn Range.

Wider weather episode

A deep fetch of Pacific moisture from an atmospheric river and an Arctic Front dropping south combined to bring very heavy snow to much of western and central Wyoming. The heaviest snow fell across the western mountains, especially in the favored westerly flow upslope locations. The highest snowfall amounts were in the Tetons, with the Jackson Hole Ski Resort reporting 47 inches of new snow. Portions of the Salt and Wyoming Range also picked up over 2 feet of new snow, with over a foot of new snow in the Bighorn Range and Wind River Range. In the lower elevations, over a foot of new snow fell in the Jackson Valley, Star Valley and Natrona County, with much of northern Wyoming seeing over 6 inches of new snow. The snow combined with gusty winds to produce widespread travel problems including the closure of several major roads for several days, disrupting commerce.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1078169. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.