Blizzard — Central Laramie County, Wyoming

2021-03-14 · Central Laramie County, Wyoming

Event narrative

Cheyenne Airport ASOS station KCYS reported 35 to 55 MPH wind gusts and one quarter mile visibility. NWS Employees at the WFO also observed blizzard conditions. Reports of 3 to 5 foot high drifts reported across town and neighboring areas which shutdown the city of Cheyenne through the following Wednesday. Numerous power outages were reported around town. Roof collapse reported at CrossFit Frontier building due to heavy, wet snow. One fatality in Cheyenne was reported as a homeless person was found in the snow outside a church due to exposure from the cold and snow. Cheyenne area received 25 to 35 inches of snowfall. Officially storm total at NWS Cheyenne office was 30.8 inches.

Wider weather episode

Historic winter storm crippled much of southeast Wyoming with heavy wet snow followed by strong winds and blizzard conditions. Cheyenne received 22.7 inches of snowfall in 24 hours (storm total 30.8 inches) with 4 to 6 foot drifts developing all over. Highest snowfall amount reported over 70 inches (4.5 inches snow water equivalent) in the North Laramie Range. Most areas were digging out from the storm for at least the following week as snow plows got stuck on roadways. Received numerous reports of roof collapses due to the heavy, wet snow. Areas of southeast Wyoming also experienced thundersnow with the heavier snow bands early Sunday morning.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 938148. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.