High Wind in Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County, Wyoming

Frequent very strong winds were observed at the WYDOT site at Bordeaux. Highest gust observed at 126 PM MST on March 12th. Several webcam images showed flipped semi trucks on Interstate 25.

A rare strong and damaging downslope wind event started in the early morning hours of March 12th and continued through March 13th. Intense mountain wave activity was also a contributing factor to widespread wind gusts between 80 to 110 MPH across southeast Wyoming. Numerous reports of tree damage, power outages, and property damage including flipped over sixteen-wheeler tractor trailer trucks were reported to WYDOT and the National Weather Service. Areas of blowing dust also resulted in lower visibility on area roadways, which added to the already difficult travel scenario.