Alert archive / Wyoming / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 33, NWS Riverton, WY

July 4, 2020Johnson County, Wyoming

NWS Riverton, WY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 4, 2020, 5:07 PM MDT for Johnson County, Wyoming. It was in force for 38 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 4, 2020, 5:07 PM MDT (23:07 UTC)
Expired
Jul 4, 2020, 5:45 PM MDT
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Riverton, WY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Johnson County, WY

The radar

The Riverton/Lander radar (KRIW), 187 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:09 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Rapid City, SD (KUNR), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 296 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Rapid City, SD at 12:00Z on 2020-07-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 53 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Rapid City, SD at 12:00Z on 2020-07-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 60 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
53 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-595 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2389 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
60 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-127 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Riverton, WY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 4, 11:50 AM MDT, 5 hours 17 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 11:50 AM MDT, 5 hours 17 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Riverton WY
1150 AM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

.SHORT TERM...This afternoon through Sunday night

Hot and dry conditions will continue today, as the region remains
sandwiched between a large area of high pressure over the Southern
Plains/Southern Rockies and a longwave trough over western
Canada. Chances for showers/afternoon thunderstorms will continue
over the north and northwest. RH values will remain critically
low over all, but far western portions. Thankfully, wind gusts
will range between 20 to 25 mph. A few areas west of the Divide
could have gusts up to 30 mph at times this afternoon. So, have
reissued a Rangeland Fire Statement for central and southern
portions again. Every precaution should be taken today and tonight
to ensure a safe 4th of July.

Dewpoints have increased from last night and this morning into the
40s and 50s across all, but southern portions. However, these will
begin to decrease back down to the 30s this afternoon. Northern and
far western portions will remain in the 40s, reinforcing the frontal
boundary in the area. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms will once
again develop over the northern mountains this afternoon, with a
marginal risk for a severe thunderstorm over northern portions. The
focus for storms will be from Bondurant to Lovell and over portions
of Johnson County. Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will
also be possible across Natrona County and southern portions of
Sweetwater County, from Flaming Gorge to Wamsutter. Strong, gusty
winds will be the main threat with the storms today, with hail
possible for storms in the north. This convection is expected to end
across the area by sunset. Winds will be light across the area, with
mostly clear skies by this time. Partly cloudy skies will linger
from Johnson County to eastern Sweetwater County.

The aforementioned frontal boundary will play a greater role Sunday,
with the boundary stretching through northeast Natrona County, along
the Bridger/Owl Creek Mountains and the rest of the Divide. North of
this boundary is where the better moisture and focus for afternoon
convection will occur. Strong, to possibly severe, storms will be
possible in this area, with hail and strong winds. South of the
boundary, humidity levels will once again crater to critical levels.
Values of 8 to 12 percent will be commonplace. Conditions are
expected to remain largely dry, with the best thunderstorm chances
near the front. This would be over Fremont and western Natrona
counties.

Storms will be ending and moving toward the northeast through the
evening. Showers could linger over Johnson County through the
overnight hours Sunday night.

.LONG TERM...Monday through Saturday

Overall the pattern does not change much in the long term with a
semi-permanent trough/upper low over the Pacific Northwest and a
mainly dry southwest flow across the forecast area. Models are
showing a weak quasi-stationary boundary along and east of the
Divide gradually washing out/retreating northward on Monday. Weak
disturbances in the flow should result in isolated to locally
scattered showers and thunderstorms north of the frontal boundary.
South of this boundary there will be elevated to possibly critical
fire weather conditions. Right now, wind looks to be marginal for
critical conditions on Monday.

On Tuesday/Tuesday night, models show a stronger shortwave in the
southwest flow lifting northeast across Nevada to Western Montana.
This shortwave looks to increase winds aloft and push drier air
farther northward across the county warning area. This could result
in critical fire weather thresholds being met across much of the
area as stronger winds aloft easily mix down due to steep lapse
rates, in combination with very low RH. Any convection should be
confined to the far north/northeast.

A weak cold front is expected to pull south possibly to the Divide
Tuesday night. This front should quickly retreat/wash out Wednesday
much faster than the one on Monday. Although winds are expected to
be slightly weaker on Wednesday, the mid-level winds appear to be
strong enough to reach marginal critical fire weather thresholds.
Models show continued very low afternoon relative humidity, so much
of the area, except the far west/northwest could again see critical
or at least elevated fire weather conditions. Any isolated
convection on Wednesday is again expected over the far
north/northeast.

For the rest of the extended, much of the same through Saturday with
elevated to critical fire weather conditions being the main concern
especially east of the Divide and over the southwestern portions of
the forecast area. Temperatures through the extended will generally
be 4 to 8 degrees above average over the east and south, and near
seasonal over the far west.

&&

.AVIATION...For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday

VFR conditions will continue through the period. Main forecast issue
is return of showers approaching KCOD, KWRL, and possibly KJAC this
afternoon. Any showers that approach those sites would have the
potential for variably gusty winds. Showers will move to the
northeast early evening, with mostly clear skies and lighter winds
near sunset. Watch for localized lower vis due to smoke from
fireworks displays.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Hot and dry weather will continue through the Fourth of July
Weekend. The winds are expected to remain somewhat light. However,
gusts of 25 to 30 mph will be possible across southern portions this
afternoon. The best chance for any lightning will be across
northwest Wyoming into the Bighorn Basin and zone 281. Minimum
relative humidity will be critically low across all, but far
western portions this afternoon. A frontal boundary will stretch
through northeast Natrona County, along the Bridger/Owl Creek
Mountains and the rest of the Divide by midday Sunday. RH levels
will be in the 20s and 30s north of this boundary and will also be
where most of the storms occur Sunday afternoon. Strong, to
possibly severe, storms will be possible in this areas as well. RH
values between 8 and 14 percent will occur south of the boundary.
The RH and hot temperatures will continue to be the greatest
concern going into next week. These conditions will result in
elevated to critical fire weather conditions through the week.

&&

.RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...LaVoie
LONG TERM...Murrell/Hulme
AVIATION...Hulme
FIRE WEATHER...LaVoie
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 2:57 AM MDT, 14 hours 10 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Riverton WY
257 AM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

WYZ001>020-022>030-051200-
Yellowstone National Park-Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-
North Big Horn Basin-Southwest Big Horn Basin-
Southeast Big Horn Basin-Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains-
Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn Mountains Southeast-
Northeast Johnson County-Southeast Johnson County-
Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains-Jackson Hole-
Wind River Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East-
Upper Wind River Basin-Wind River Basin-Lander Foothills-
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-
Natrona County Lower Elevations-Casper Mountain-Star Valley-
Salt River and Wyoming Ranges-Upper Green River Basin Foothills-
Upper Green River Basin-South Lincoln County-
Rock Springs and Green River-Flaming Gorge-East Sweetwater County-
257 AM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Western and Central Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

A chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms across the
northern half of the area and Sweetwater County. Some storms will
produce strong wind gusts and small hail east of the Divide and
mainly just strong wind gusts west. The strongest thunderstorms
are expected over the north.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Sunday and Monday...Isolated to locally scattered afternoon and
evening thunderstorms in the north and far east. Elevated to
possibly critical fire weather conditions over central and
southern areas.

Tuesday and Wednesday...Isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms
over the far north. Elevated to possibly critical fire weather
conditions over much of the area.

Thursday and Friday...Dry with elevated to possibly critical fire
weather conditions mainly east of the Divide and southwestern
areas.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report hail size and wind gusts
of 50 mph or more. Thank you.

TEAM RIVERTON

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 4, 4:06 PM MDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
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Special weather statement, Jul 4, 4:10 PM MDT, 57 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 4, 4:28 PM MDT, 39 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 4, 4:43 PM MDT, 24 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 4, 4:58 PM MDT, 9 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 4, 5:00 PM MDT, 7 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Riverton, WY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 4, 2:36 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWHot Springs24 min
Jul 4, 2:40 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWNatrona35 min
Jul 4, 2:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRIWHot Springs, Washakie22 min
Jul 4, 3:11 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRIWBig Horn, Hot Springs, Washakie34 min
Jul 4, 3:21 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIW24 min
Jul 4, 3:42 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWHot Springs33 min
Jul 4, 3:53 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWNatrona37 min
Jul 4, 4:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWWashakie35 min
Jul 4, 4:28 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWNatrona32 min
Jul 4, 4:43 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWWashakie32 min
Jul 4, 4:58 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWJohnson32 min
Jul 4, 5:00 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWJohnson45 min
Jul 4, 5:38 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementRIWJohnson37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wyoming, 2020Every severe thunderstorm 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.