Winter Weather — Wind River Mountains West, Wyoming

2016-12-08 to 2016-12-10 · Wind River Mountains West, Wyoming

Event narrative

The Larson Creek SNOTEL measured 13 inches of new snow.

Wider weather episode

A strong and moist flow off of the Pacific combined with favorable jet dynamics to produce heavy snow across much of western Wyoming. The heaviest snow well in the western mountains where 29 inches fell at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort, 24 inches in the Salt and Wyoming Range and 20 inches in southwestern Yellowstone Park. Heavy snow also fell in the Jackson and Star Valleys where 15 inches was measured near Wilson and at the Star Valley Ranch. Meanwhile, strong mid level winds mixing to the surface brought high winds to portions of Fremont and Natrona Counties. The strongest winds were along Outer Drive south of Casper where a gust to 79 mph was recorded. This strong wind brought blowing and drifting and snow that caused travel problems.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 665828. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.