Alert archive / Wyoming / Blizzard Warnings in 2020
Blizzard Warning 2, NWS Cheyenne, WY
NWS Cheyenne, WY issued this blizzard warning at Jan 2, 2020, 1:46 PM MST for Albany County, Carbon County, Wyoming. It took effect at Jan 3, 2020, 3:00 AM MST. It was in force for 17 hr. 5 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jan 2, 2020, 1:46 PM MST (20:46 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jan 3, 2020, 3:00 AM MST
- Expired
- Jan 3, 2020, 7:30 PM MST
- In force
- 17 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Cheyenne, WY
Counties Albany County, WY, Carbon County, WY
The radar
The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 140 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:50 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 4:42 AM MST | BLIZZARD | 3 Nw Arlington, WY | FOOTE CREEK WYDOT SITE. GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH VISIBILITY 1/4 MILE OR LESS AND WIND GUSTS TO 42 MPH. PEAK WIND GUST 52 MPH AT 410 AM. |
| Jan 3, 6:12 AM MST | BLIZZARD | 1 Nnw Arlington, WY | ARLINGTON WYDOT SITE ON INTERSTATE 80. GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH VISIBILITY UNDER 1/4 MILE AND WINDS GUSTING ABOVE 50 MPH. VISIBILITY UNDER 1/4 MILE FROM 4AM TO 448AM. VISIBILITY UNDER 1/4 MILE FROM 2/746 PM TO 2/808PM WITH WIND GUSTS OVER 40 MPH. |
| Jan 3, 8:46 AM MST | BLIZZARD | 2 E Arlington, WY | ARLINGTON EAST WYDOT SITE. GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH VISIBILITY AT OR BELOW 1/4 MILE IN BLOWING SNOW. WINDS GUSTING TO 49 MPH. |
| Jan 3, 8:48 AM MST | BLIZZARD | 3 Nw Arlington, WY | FOOTE CREEK WYDOT SITE. GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH VISIBILITY UNDER 1/4 MILE AND WINDS GUSTING TO 53 MPH. |
| Jan 3, 10:58 AM MST | SNOW 0 | Arlington, WY | INTERSTATE 80 WAS CLOSED BETWEEN LARAMIE AND RAWLINS DUE TO BLOWING SNOW, STRONG WINDS, AND LOW VISIBILIES. DURATION OF EVENT WAS FROM 1030 PM THURSDAY UNTIL 1100 AM FRIDAY. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Riverton, WY (KRIW), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 230 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1841 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 11 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -64 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -58 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
909 WWUS45 KCYS 022046 WSWCYS URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 146 PM MST Thu Jan 2 2020 ...HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL PERSIST THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY... ...VERY STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AROUND ARLINGTON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT... WYZ110-031200- /O.NEW.KCYS.BZ.W.0002.200103T1000Z-200104T1200Z/ North Snowy Range Foothills- Including the cities of Arlington and Elk Mountain 146 PM MST Thu Jan 2 2020 ...GROUND BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO 5 AM MST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Ground blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds increasing tonight approaching 60 mph by early morning Friday. Gusts as high as 70 mph late Friday morning through Friday evening. Fresh snow from the snow storm on New Years Day of 7 to 11 inches will be blown around by these very strong winds creating white out conditions. * WHERE...Interstate 80 from Arlington to Elk Mountain * WHEN...From 3 AM Friday to 5 AM MST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...If possible...cancel your travel plans if traveling Interstate 80 between Rawlins and Laramie. Travel will become impossible through this stretch of Interstate 80. Additional Details text here or remove bullet entirely PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ WYZ112-114-031200- /O.CON.KCYS.WS.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200103T1200Z/ Sierra Madre Range-Snowy Range- Including the cities of Centennial and Albany 146 PM MST Thu Jan 2 2020 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches with 1 to 2 inches falling per 6 hour period. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges. * WHEN...Until 5 AM MST Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Hikers and snow mobilers stand the risk of disorientation and becoming lost in whiteout conditions. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
4 follow-up statements
947 WWUS45 KCYS 022153 WSWCYS URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 253 PM MST Thu Jan 2 2020 ...HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL PERSIST THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY... ...VERY STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AROUND ARLINGTON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT... WYZ110-031200- /O.CON.KCYS.BZ.W.0002.200103T1000Z-200104T1200Z/ North Snowy Range Foothills- Including the cities of Arlington and Elk Mountain 253 PM MST Thu Jan 2 2020 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO 5 AM MST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Ground blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds increasing tonight approaching 60 mph by early morning Friday. Gusts as high as 70 mph late Friday morning through Friday evening. Fresh snow from the snow storm on New Years Day of 7 to 11 inches will be blown around by these very strong winds creating white out conditions. * WHERE...Interstate 80 from Arlington to Elk Mountain. * WHEN...From 3 AM Friday to 5 AM MST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...If possible...cancel your travel plans if traveling Interstate 80 between Rawlins and Laramie. Travel will become impossible through this stretch of Interstate 80. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ WYZ112-114-031200- /O.CON.KCYS.WS.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200103T1200Z/ Sierra Madre Range-Snowy Range- Including the cities of Centennial and Albany 253 PM MST Thu Jan 2 2020 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches with 1 to 2 inches falling per 6 hour period. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges. * WHEN...Until 5 AM MST Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Hikers and snow mobilers stand the risk of disorientation and becoming lost in whiteout conditions. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
012 WWUS45 KCYS 030951 WSWCYS URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 251 AM MST Fri Jan 3 2020 ...VERY STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AROUND ARLINGTON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT... WYZ112-114-031100- /O.CAN.KCYS.WS.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200103T1200Z/ Sierra Madre Range-Snowy Range- Including the cities of Centennial and Albany 251 AM MST Fri Jan 3 2020 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED... Snow showers have finally tapered off across the Snowy and Sierra Madre Ranges. Isolated snow showers will continue through the day today, but new snow accumulation will be limited. $$ WYZ110-041200- /O.CON.KCYS.BZ.W.0002.200103T1000Z-200104T1200Z/ North Snowy Range Foothills- Including the cities of Arlington and Elk Mountain 251 AM MST Fri Jan 3 2020 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Ground blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds increasing tonight approaching 60 mph by early morning Friday. Gusts as high as 70 mph late Friday morning through Friday evening. Fresh snow from the snow storm on New Years Day of 7 to 11 inches will be blown around by these very strong winds creating white out conditions. * WHERE...Interstate 80 from Arlington to Elk Mountain. * WHEN...From 3 AM Friday to 5 AM MST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slick and icy road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could make travel difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...If possible...cancel your travel plans if traveling Interstate 80 between Rawlins and Laramie. Travel will become impossible through this stretch of Interstate 80. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
995 WWUS45 KCYS 032022 WSWCYS URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 122 PM MST Fri Jan 3 2020 ...VERY STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AROUND ARLINGTON THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY MORNING... WYZ110-041200- /O.CON.KCYS.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200104T1200Z/ North Snowy Range Foothills- Including the cities of Arlington and Elk Mountain 122 PM MST Fri Jan 3 2020 ...GROUND BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Ground blizzard conditions expected. After a brief improvement in visibility this afternoon...they are expected to lower with increased blowing snow after sunset. Visibilities under one quarter mile with blowing snow and wind gusts exceeding 60 mph will create whiteout conditions overnight. * WHERE...Interstate 80 from Arlington to Elk Mountain. * WHEN...Through 5 AM MST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slick and icy road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could make travel difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Follow Wyoming Department of Transportation Road Condition Report for latest updates on road conditions and closures. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
946 WWUS45 KCYS 040230 WSWCYS URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 730 PM MST Fri Jan 3 2020 ...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE ALONG INTERSTATE 80 BETWEEN LARAMIE AND RAWLINS THROUGH AT LEAST SATURDAY AFTERNOON... WYZ110-041200- /O.CAN.KCYS.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200104T1200Z/ /O.NEW.KCYS.WW.Y.0002.200104T0230Z-200105T0000Z/ North Snowy Range Foothills- Including the cities of Arlington and Elk Mountain 730 PM MST Fri Jan 3 2020 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST SATURDAY... ...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...Wind gusts up to 70 MPH will result in periods of blowing and drifting snow, as well as sheeting of ice on roadways. * WHERE...Arlington and Elk Mountain along Interstate 80 between Laramie and Rawlins. * WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Expect periods of reduced visibilities and slick roadways. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling, especially in open areas. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ CLH
The office that day
Everything else NWS Cheyenne, WY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 3:52 AM MST | High Wind Watch | CYS | Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Laramie, Platte | 47 hr |
| Jan 2, 2:01 PM MST | High Wind Warning | CYS | Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Laramie, Platte | 60 hr |
Nearby
Blizzard Warnings in Wyoming, 2020Every blizzard warning in 2020
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.