High Wind — Southwest Big Horn Basin, Wyoming

2016-02-18 · Southwest Big Horn Basin, Wyoming

Event narrative

Peak gusts of 63 and 60 mph were measured at the fire station in Thermopolis.

Wider weather episode

The passage of a potent Pacific cold front in concert with a favorable jet stream position, strong mid-level winds, and a tightening pressure gradient led to widespread high wind east of the Continental Divide. Some foothill locations experienced the strong wind over an extended period spreading across two days. The strongest winds were in the wind prone areas near Clark where a wind gust of 103 mph was recorded on Thursday, February 18. In northern Johnson County, damage was reported in and around the town of Buffalo where wind gusts of 71 to 81 mph were recorded. The damage consisted of three downed light poles, roof damage of varying degrees, and trees toppled. A semitruck was overturned by high winds along Outer Drive on the south side of Casper around 0745MST on Friday. Strong wind on the west side of Cody blew down at least one billboard later that afternoon. Wind gusts near or above hurricane force were also recorded outside of Casper and in the Absaroka Range. The strong westerly flow also brought heavy snow to the Tetons. Snowfall of 15 inches was reported at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 612290. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.