Winter Storm — Wind River Mountains West, Wyoming

2012-12-16 to 2012-12-17 · Wind River Mountains West, Wyoming

Event narrative

Heavy snow fell across the Western Wind River Range with snow amounts generally 6 to 12 inches.

Wider weather episode

A couple of storm systems moved through western Wyoming accompanied by heavy snow and gusty wind. Snowfall of one to around two feet was common. The heaviest snow was estimated to have fallen in the Salt and Wyoming mountain ranges. Up to 18 inches of snow fall across the higher elevations of the Tetons including the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Totals topped one foot in portions of Yellowstone National Park and the Wind River Range. Snowfall amounts in the Star Valley and Jackson Hole were generally 6 to 10 inches with a 15 inch total observed at Alpine. Strong winds also occurred across the peaks with gusts as high as 78 mph. In addition, east of the Continental Divide some areas saw very strong winds with gusts to 72 mph in the Green Mountains and 59 mph at the Casper Airport.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 419424. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.