High Wind — North Snowy Range Foothills, Wyoming

2025-12-17 to 2025-12-18 · North Snowy Range Foothills, Wyoming

Event narrative

Persistent and widespread very strong wind gusts of 70 to 106 MPH were measured along Interstate 80 between Rawlins and Laramie. Peak gust of 106 MPH measured at Wagonhound WYDOT site during the early evening hours. Another maximum gust of 102 MPH was recorded at a similar time a few miles northwest at County Road 402.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front moved across Wyoming and Nebraska December 17th. Scattered snow squalls were observed along the Interstate 80 and Interstate 25 corridor, some producing visibilities below one quarter mile, gusts over 60 MPH, and flash freezing on Interstates. Some of the strongest winds observed across central and southeast Wyoming occurred during this event with a peak gust of 112 MPH reported along Interstate 25. There was also a brief fire south of Cheyenne late in the afternoon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1299579. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.