Winter Storm — Bighorn Mountains Southeast, Wyoming

2017-04-24 to 2017-04-25 · Bighorn Mountains Southeast, Wyoming

Event narrative

Heavy snow fell across portions of the east slopes of the Bighorns. Numerous locations picked up over a foot of new snow. Some of the highest amounts included 18 inches at the Hansen Sawmill SNOTEL site and 15 inches at the Bear trap Meadow SNOTEL site.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure passed over Wyoming on April 25th. A deep east to southeasterly flow moved into Johnson County and produced substantial upslope flow that brought heavy snow to many areas. Across northern Johnson County, heavy rain changed to a heavy wet snow that continued for many hours. The snow combined with gusty winds that knocked the power out for several hours in Buffalo. Interstates 25 and 90 were also shut down during the height of the storm. Heavy snow fell in the Bighorns as well with up 18 inches of new snow. Powder River Pass was closed at the height of the storm. Around Buffalo, snowfall amounts generally ranged from 5 to 11 inches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 684368. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.