Winter Storm — Sierra Madre Range, Wyoming

2023-04-02 to 2023-04-04 · Sierra Madre Range, Wyoming

Event narrative

An estimated 9 to 15 inches of snow fell over the Sierra Madre Range per various SNOTEL observations. The highest amount of 15 inches was recorded at Whiskey Peak (WPKW4), 3 WSW of Hog Park Reservoir, at an elevation of 8950 feet.

Wider weather episode

A large, slow moving low pressure system intensified rapidly as it tracked across the central Rockies between 4/2 and 4/5. This weather system combined with a historically significant amount of moisture from both the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico to produce extreme snowfall rates across portions of southeast Wyoming. Heavy snow initially developed across Carbon, Albany, Converse, and Niobrara counties during the overnight hours from 4/2 into 4/3, before spreading across the remainder of the High Plains late in the evening on 4/3. Accumulating snowfall persisted across much of the region until mid to late afternoon on 4/4. Total accumulations ranged from 1 to 2 feet for many areas along and north of a line from Rawlins to Wheatland to Lusk, with localized amounts exceeding 2 feet in higher elevation areas. In Carbon County near Rawlins and Elk Mountain, the snow combined with strong wind gusts near 45 MPH to produce periods of blizzard conditions. Significant transportation impacts were reported with extended (36+ hour) closures including both I-80 and I-25 west and north of Cheyenne, respectively.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1085948. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.