Blizzard — North Laramie Range, Wyoming

2019-03-13 to 2019-03-14 · North Laramie Range, Wyoming

Event narrative

Dodge Creek and Esterbrook sites recorded blizzard criteria winds in addition to SNOTEL sites measuring over 30 inches of snow.

Wider weather episode

A well deepening Colorado Low underwent bombogenesis producing widespread heavy snow and blizzard conditions across all of southeastern Wyoming. Conditions initially began as rain on the morning of the 13th with thunderstorms across the far southeastern portion before transitioning over to snow later in the morning. By noon of the 13th, almost all of southeastern Wyoming was under blizzard conditions with Interstates 80 and 25 closed to traffic and communities issuing no travel advised to keep folks off the road. Snow foot drifts of over 10 feet tall were reported with heavy snowfall of over a foot measured. Initial estimates placed livestock losses at 4,100 cattle, 200 sheep and 40 horses statewide from snow and flooding.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 810781. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.