High Wind in Central Carbon County, Wyoming

Seven observation sites across central Carbon County reported strong wind gusts over 58 MPH in a long duration high wind event. Peak gust of 75 MPH measured at the WYDOT site at Sinclair, east of Rawlins. Rawlins Airport measured a peak gust of 70 MPH late in the morning on March 12th.

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.