High Wind in Upper North Platte River Basin, Wyoming

Intermittent strong wind gusts reported at Saratoga and south of Saratoga near the Colorado border. Peak gust of 63 MPH measured at the WYDOT site in Skyline.

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.