Winter Storm in Bighorn Mountains West, Wyoming

Low pressure emerged on the plains of Colorado and induced a strong pressure gradient across Wyoming. The result was a favorable pattern for upslope snow and associated wind of 25 to 40 mph with gusts in excess of 50 mph. This combination resulted in blizzard or near-blizzard conditions. Snowfall across the lower elevations was mainly in the two to four inch range with isolated amounts to seven inches from Thermopolis to Riverton. The heavier band of snow necessitated the closure of State Highway 789 through the Wind River Canyon for over 12 hours. Snowfall from 7 to 13 inches was common in the Absaroka, Bighorn, and Wind River mountains. Johnson and Washakie counties experienced the worst of the snow and wind combination. Wind speeds in these counties were frequently 25 to 35 mph with gusts between 46 and 58 mph on Monday morning, March 30.