Winter Storm — Owl Creek & Bridger Mountains, Wyoming

2009-03-23 · Owl Creek & Bridger Mountains, Wyoming

Wider weather episode

Low pressure strengthened over the plains of Colorado producing upslope flow across central Wyoming east of the Continental Divide. The storm produced gusty northerly wind and created blizzard conditions across Johnson County. Wind gusts of 40 mph or more were recorded for approximately 25 hours at the Johnson County Airport in Buffalo. Speeds at the airport topped 60 mph early in the morning on Tuesday, March 24 with a peak of 68 mph shortly after 0100MST. The combination of snow and wind shut down state and federal highways in Johnson and Natrona counties. Wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph were also routine in Big Horn and Washakie counties on Monday, March 23. Sustained wind of 40 mph with a peak gust to 68 mph was recorded in the foothills of the Owl Creek Mountains in Fremont County early Monday.

The heaviest snow fell in Natrona County where amounts of 8 to 16 inches combined with the wind to shut down schools, businesses, and government offices. On Casper Mountain, snowfall was estimated between two and three feet. Generally, snowfall totals across the lower elevations ranged from four to eight inches, while totals ranged from 12 to 18 inches in the mountains. Most areas reported treacherous, if not impossible, travel conditions due to the very gusty wind reducing visibility.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 157777. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.