Blizzard — Niobrara County, Wyoming

2019-11-30 · Niobrara County, Wyoming

Event narrative

Wyoming Department of Transportation sensor along United States Highway 20 at Van Tassell measured blizzard conditions with peak wind gusts reaching up to 52 mph during the event. Snowfall accumulation measured up to a foot in Lusk. In addition, area highways and roads were closed to travelers due to the adverse conditions.

Wider weather episode

A powerful low pressure system tracked into the central Great Plains producing a tight pressure gradient and trowal winter precipitation that produced blizzard or near-blizzard conditions and high winds throughout portions of southeastern Wyoming. Peak wind gusts were measured into the lower 80 mph range with several drifts exceeding two feet across the region. Heavy snowfall across the Sierra Madre Range was also measured. Travelers across the area interstates came to a halt due to the hazardous conditions for them and the maintenance crews to safely clear.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 864193. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.