Heavy Snow — Sierra Madre Range, Wyoming

2019-10-19 to 2019-10-21 · Sierra Madre Range, Wyoming

Event narrative

Heavy snow accumulations were estimated by several area sensors including the Blackhall Mountain with 16.5 inches of snowfall and the Webber Springs with 12.0 inches. A huntsman went missing during the snowstorm prompting area search and rescue, cadaver dogs and civil air patrols in hopes of finding and recovering the individual. After a week of searching, the Carbon County Sheriff's Office suspended the operations. Given that the individual has not been recovered, a proper autopsy to determine likely cause of death remains unknown though given the winter elements of wind, snow and subsequent freezing temperatures, assumption will be made to declare the fatality as direct.

Wider weather episode

A deepening low pressure system and frontal boundary moved across the region producing widespread high winds across southeastern Wyoming with light snowfall while in Carbon County blizzard conditions were reported by Arlington stopping traffic for a period of time. Heavy snow was reported in the mountain ranges in the area with close to two feet in the highest spots of the Snowy Range. A hunter out in the Sierra Madre Range went missing during the storm and his body has yet to be recovered.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 858580. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.