Thunderstorm Wind in Big Horn County, Wyoming

A gust front developed ahead of a line of thunderstorms moving northward through the Bighorn Basin. Very strong winds developed along a line from Manderson northward to Greybull. At the Greybull airport, a wind gust of 78 mph was recorded before the power failed. In Basin. 15 to 20 trees were downed or uprooted, some falling on houses and power lines. In addition, a roof was blown off of a building and a power pole was snapped. In Greybull, numerous trees were uprooted. One tree fell on a house, causing some structural damage. Another tree was uprooted at a motel.

The combination of an upper level low moving across Wyoming and large amounts of moisture produced a severe weather outbreak across portions of central Wyoming. Natrona County, including Casper was hard hit with numerous reports of large hail ranging in size from quarter to golf ball size. Two funnel clouds were also sited. Across the Big Horn Basin, downburst winds were the main threat. Wind gusts of over 70 mph were recorded in portions of Park and Big Horn Counties. Along a line from Manderson to Basin to Greybull in Big Horn County, a storm survey counted 33 downed trees and 13 power lines caused by the high winds. Trees also fell on several houses in Basin and Greybull and a roof was blown off a business in Basin.