Alert archive / Wyoming / High Wind Warnings in 2025

High Wind Warning 8, NWS Riverton, WY

March 15, 20259 counties in Wyoming

NWS Riverton, WY issued this high wind warning at Mar 15, 2025, 1:17 PM MDT for 9 counties in Wyoming. It took effect at Mar 16, 2025, 6:00 AM MDT. It was in force for 30 hr. 56 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
Mar 15, 2025, 1:17 PM MDT (19:17 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 16, 2025, 6:00 AM MDT
Expired
Mar 17, 2025, 12:00 PM MDT
In force
30 hr
Issued by
NWS Riverton, WY

Counties Big Horn County, WY, Fremont County, WY, Hot Springs County, WY, Johnson County, WY, Natrona County, WY, Park County, WY, Sublette County, WY, Sweetwater County, WY, Washakie County, WY

The radar

The Riverton/Lander radar (KRIW), 47 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:20 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 16, 2:00 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 548 Wnw Bar Nunn, WYMesonet station FW7361 Casper.
Mar 16, 2:10 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5011 Sw Mills, WYMesonet station PC250 North Platte.
Mar 16, 2:10 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 544 Nw Calpet, WYMesonet station PC398 Hogsback.
Mar 16, 2:22 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 686 Nw Mills, WYASOS station KCPR Casper Airport.
Mar 16, 2:30 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 6313 Se Evansville, WYMesonet station PC459 Muddy Creek.
Mar 16, 2:36 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5310 Ene Wamsutter, WYMesonet station KCTD Wamsutter 10.5 E (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 2:42 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 531 S Bar Nunn, WYMesonet station FW2904 Bar Nunn.
Mar 16, 2:56 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 672 Sse Casper, WYMesonet station WY47 Casper 2.1 SW (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 3:00 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 686 Se Casper, WYMesonet station PC392 Claude Creek.
Mar 16, 3:10 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5517 Ssw Midwest, WYMesonet station PC576 Horse Ranch Creek.
Mar 16, 3:10 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 743 Ne Lander, WYMesonet station PC259 Wyopo.
Mar 16, 3:12 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 553 S Worland, WYASOS station KWRL Worland Airport.
Mar 16, 3:16 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 6714 N Bar Nunn, WYMesonet station KTMH Bar Nunn 13.6 N (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 3:42 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 6110 Wsw Grass Creek, WYMesonet station GCRW4 Meeteetse 10 S.
Mar 16, 3:50 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5712 E Worland, WYMesonet station PC457 Hidden Dome.
Mar 16, 3:56 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5120 Ne Opal, WYMesonet station KSHC Shute Creek.
Mar 16, 3:56 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 676 Wnw Sweetwater Statio, WYMesonet station KBVR Beaver Rim (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 4:06 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 538 N Meeteetse, WYMesonet station KMTR Meeteetse 8 N (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 4:08 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 553 Ene Granger, WYMesonet station UP186 Granger 3 NE.
Mar 16, 4:10 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 755 E Ervay, WYMesonet station RSNW4 Hiland 16 S.
Mar 16, 4:16 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 586 W Alcova, WYMesonet station KPAT Alcova 7 W (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 4:26 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 10710 Ne Atlantic City, WYMesonet station KREC Red Canyon - South Pass.
Mar 16, 4:35 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 528 Se Reliance, WYASOS station KRKS Rock Springs Airport.
Mar 16, 5:24 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 541 Sw Evansville, WYMesonet station GW4455 EVANSVILLE.
Mar 16, 5:30 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 547 S Casper, WYMesonet station PC390 Whitcomb Road.
Mar 16, 5:38 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 505 Se Reliance, WYMesonet station WY10 Reliance 5.2 SE (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 5:38 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 622 Ne Mills, WYMesonet station WY50 Mills 2 NE (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 5:46 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 554 Nnw Hudson, WYMesonet station SHPW4 Hudson 3 NNW.
Mar 16, 5:48 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 65Natrona, WYMesonet station WY45 Natrona (WYDOT).
Mar 16, 5:50 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 527 S Casper, WYMesonet station PC391 Stag Run.
Mar 16, 5:50 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 687 N Bairoil, WYMesonet station CAMW4 Muddy Gap 7 SW.
Mar 16, 5:52 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 568 S Casper, WYMesonet station CMRW4 Casper 8 S.
Mar 16, 7:20 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 833 Sw Lander, WYMesonet station PC454 Moss Rock.
Mar 16, 7:37 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 751 Ssw Lander, WYASOS station KLND Lander Airport.
Mar 16, 7:50 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 583 Wnw Lander, WYMesonet station PC453 Baldwin Creek.
Mar 16, 9:05 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 608 Wnw Lander, WYMesonet station EW0138 Lander 7 NW.
Mar 16, 9:55 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5913 S Thermopolis, WYAWOS station KTBX Boysen Peak.
Mar 16, 11:01 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 6812 W Fort Washakie, WYMesonet station WRVW4 Fort Washakie 10 W.
Mar 16, 11:30 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 601 Nnw Buffalo, WYMesonet station GW1458 BUFFALO.
Mar 16, 11:40 PM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5515 Nne Mayoworth, WYMesonet station PC578 Purdy East.
Mar 17, 12:30 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 6624 Ese Buffalo, WYMesonet station WY3 Ucross 28 SE (WYDOT).
Mar 17, 1:00 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 562 Ssw Buffalo, WYMesonet station PC460 Buffalo South.
Mar 17, 1:10 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5311 W Wapiti, WYMesonet station PC260 Fork.
Mar 17, 1:15 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 557 Ne Buffalo, WYMesonet station DW9955 Buffalo.
Mar 17, 1:40 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5231 Ese Buffalo, WYMesonet station KDHS Echeta 20 SW (WYDOT).
Mar 17, 1:50 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5912 W Daniel, WYMesonet station PC452 Cottonwood Merna.
Mar 17, 1:59 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 593 Nnw Buffalo, WYASOS station KBYG Buffalo Airport.
Mar 17, 2:20 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5211 Se Wapiti, WYMesonet station PC462 Irma Lake.
Mar 17, 2:47 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 7114 Wsw Buffalo, WYMesonet station SPKW4 Buffalo 18 NW.
Mar 17, 2:50 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 5513 Wnw Midwest, WYMesonet station PC549 Tisdale Mountain.
Mar 17, 2:50 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 838 E Sunlight Basin, WYMesonet station KCHJ Sunlight Basin 8 E (WYDOT).
Mar 17, 3:00 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 581 Wnw Clark, WYMesonet station DW7095 Clark.
Mar 17, 3:10 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 728 E Sunlight Basin, WYMesonet station PC396 Dead Indian Ridge.
Mar 17, 3:46 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 547 Ssw Barnum, WYMesonet station PCRW4 Barnum 7 SW.
Mar 17, 7:32 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 714 Se Evansville, WYMesonet station WY61 I25 - Hat Six.
Mar 17, 11:42 AM MDTNON-TSTM WND GST 602 Se Hiland, WYMesonet station KHLD Hiland 2.4 SE (WYDOT).

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, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 44 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, Riverton, WY at 12:00Z on 2025-03-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Riverton, WY at 12:00Z on 2025-03-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 8 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1982 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
15 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
8 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-16 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

289 
WWUS75 KRIW 151917
NPWRIW

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
117 PM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

WYZ002-003-161300-
/O.UPG.KRIW.HW.A.0007.250316T1200Z-250317T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KRIW.HW.W.0008.250316T1200Z-250317T1200Z/
Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-
Including the cities of Cody, Meeteetse, and Clark
117 PM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SUNDAY TO 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Absaroka Mountains and Cody Foothills.

* WHEN...From 6 AM Sunday to 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Motorists should be aware of sudden and strong 
  crosswinds, especially near Chief Joseph.

$$

WYZ008-009-161300-
/O.UPG.KRIW.HW.A.0007.250316T1200Z-250317T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KRIW.HW.W.0008.250316T1200Z-250317T1200Z/
Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn Mountains Southeast-
117 PM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SUNDAY TO 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Bighorn Mountains.

* WHEN...From 6 AM Sunday to 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

$$

WYZ014-015-161300-
/O.UPG.KRIW.HW.A.0007.250316T1200Z-250317T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KRIW.HW.W.0008.250316T1200Z-250317T0600Z/
Wind River Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East-
117 PM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SUNDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT 
SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Wind River Mountains.

* WHEN...From 6 AM Sunday to midnight MDT Sunday Night.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

$$

WYZ019-020-161300-
/O.UPG.KRIW.HW.A.0007.250316T1200Z-250317T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KRIW.HW.W.0008.250316T1200Z-250317T1800Z/
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-Natrona County Lower
Elevations-
Including the cities of Jeffrey City and Casper
117 PM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SUNDAY TO NOON MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range and Natrona County 
  Lower Elevations.

* WHEN...From 6 AM Sunday to noon MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles, especially along the Casper Outer Loop.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/riw/ .

Straub
6 follow-up statements
106 
WWUS75 KRIW 160738
NPWRIW

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
138 AM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

WYZ002-003-162200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.250316T1200Z-250317T1200Z/
Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-
Including the cities of Meeteetse, Cody, and Clark
138 AM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 
AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Absaroka Mountains and Cody Foothills.

* WHEN...From 6 AM this morning to 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Motorists should be aware of sudden and strong 
  crosswinds, especially near Chief Joseph.

$$

WYZ008-009-162200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.250316T1200Z-250317T1200Z/
Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn Mountains Southeast-
138 AM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 
AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Bighorn Mountains.

* WHEN...From 6 AM this morning to 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

$$

WYZ014-015-162200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.250316T1200Z-250317T0600Z/
Wind River Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East-
138 AM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 
MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Wind River Mountains.

* WHEN...From 6 AM this morning to midnight MDT tonight.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

$$

WYZ019-020-162200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.250316T1200Z-250317T1800Z/
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-Natrona County Lower
Elevations-
Including the cities of Jeffrey City and Casper
138 AM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 
NOON MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range and Natrona County 
  Lower Elevations.

* WHEN...From 6 AM this morning to noon MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles, and along Outer Drive in Casper.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/riw/ .

Wittmann
835 
WWUS75 KRIW 170200
NPWRIW

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
800 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

WYZ018-170900-
/O.EXB.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T0900Z/
Lander Foothills-
Including the cities of Lander
800 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Lander Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Unsecured objects may become displaced due to strong 
  gusts of wind.

$$

WYZ002-003-170900-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-
Including the cities of Cody, Meeteetse, and Clark
800 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Absaroka Mountains and Cody Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Motorists should be aware of sudden and strong 
  crosswinds, especially near Chief Joseph.

$$

WYZ008-009-170900-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn Mountains Southeast-
800 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Bighorn Mountains.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

$$

WYZ014-015-170600-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T0600Z/
Wind River Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East-
800 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 80 mph.

* WHERE...Wind River Mountains.

* WHEN...Until midnight MDT tonight.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

$$

WYZ019-020-170900-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1800Z/
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-Natrona County Lower
Elevations-
Including the cities of Casper and Jeffrey City
800 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range and Natrona County 
  Lower Elevations.

* WHEN...Until noon MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles, and along Outer Drive in Casper.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/riw/ .

Dziewaltowski
802 
WWUS75 KRIW 170544
NPWRIW

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
1144 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

WYZ014-015-171200-
/O.EXT.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Wind River Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East-
1144 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph.

* WHERE...Wind River Mountains, especially the east slopes and South 
  Pass/Red Canyon.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Use caution if you must drive.

$$

WYZ002-003-171200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-
Including the cities of Meeteetse, Cody, and Clark
1144 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 75 mph.

* WHERE...Absaroka Mountains and Cody Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Motorists should be aware of sudden and strong 
  crosswinds, especially near Chief Joseph.

$$

WYZ008-009-171200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn Mountains Southeast-
1144 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 75 mph.

* WHERE...Bighorn Mountains.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

$$

WYZ018-170900-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T0900Z/
Lander Foothills-
Including the cities of Lander
1144 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* WHERE...Lander Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Unsecured objects may become displaced due to strong 
  gusts of wind.

$$

WYZ019-020-171200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1800Z/
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-Natrona County Lower
Elevations-
Including the cities of Casper and Jeffrey City
1144 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* WHERE...Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range and Natrona County 
  Lower Elevations.

* WHEN...Until noon MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles, and along Outer Drive in Casper.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/riw/ .

TL
154 
WWUS75 KRIW 170849
NPWRIW

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
249 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

WYZ018-171000-
/O.EXP.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T0900Z/
Lander Foothills-
Including the cities of Lander
249 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 3 AM MDT EARLY THIS MORNING...

The strongest winds have subsided, but gusts 30 to 40 mph will 
continue into Monday afternoon.

$$

WYZ002-003-171200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-
Including the cities of Clark, Meeteetse, and Cody
249 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT EARLY THIS 
MORNING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Absaroka Mountains and Cody Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT early this morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Motorists should be aware of sudden and strong 
  crosswinds, especially near Chief Joseph.

$$

WYZ008-009-171200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn Mountains Southeast-
249 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT EARLY THIS 
MORNING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Bighorn Mountains.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT early this morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

$$

WYZ014-015-171200-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Wind River Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East-
249 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT EARLY THIS 
MORNING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph.

* WHERE...Wind River Mountains, especially the east slopes and South 
  Pass/Red Canyon.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT early this morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles. Use caution if you must drive.

$$

WYZ019-020-171800-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1800Z/
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-Natrona County Lower
Elevations-
Including the cities of Casper and Jeffrey City
249 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT TODAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range and Natrona County 
  Lower Elevations.

* WHEN...Until noon MDT today.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles, and along Outer Drive in Casper.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/riw/ .

Wittmann
392 
WWUS75 KRIW 171136
NPWRIW

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
536 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

WYZ002-003-008-009-014-015-171245-
/O.EXP.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1200Z/
Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn
Mountains Southeast-Wind River Mountains West-Wind River
Mountains East-
Including the cities of Meeteetse, Cody, and Clark
536 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 6 AM MDT EARLY THIS MORNING...

Winds continue to decrease across the area this morning, with gusts 
of 40 to 50 mph expected for a couple of hours. These winds will 
continue to decrease to gusts of 30 to 40 mph. Thus, the High Wind 
Warning will be allowed to expire.

$$

WYZ019-020-171800-
/O.CON.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1800Z/
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-Natrona County Lower
Elevations-
Including the cities of Casper and Jeffrey City
536 AM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT TODAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range and Natrona County 
  Lower Elevations.

* WHEN...Until noon MDT today.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles, and along Outer Drive in Casper.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/riw/ .

LTL
782 
WWUS75 KRIW 171814
NPWRIW

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
1214 PM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

WYZ019-020-171915-
/O.EXP.KRIW.HW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-250317T1800Z/
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-Natrona County Lower
Elevations-
Including the cities of Casper and Jeffrey City
1214 PM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

While gusty winds will continue across central Wyoming this 
afternoon, winds are no longer expected to reach warning criteria. 
Thus the warning is allowed to expire at this time.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/riw/ .

Straub

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this high wind 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 high wind warning went out at Mar 15, 11:24 AM MDT, 1 hour 53 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Light to moderate snow continues across the western mountains this weekend.
  • A high wind event will ramp up for much of central Wyoming Sunday morning and continue into the day Monday.
  • Chances are increasing for impactful winter storm across much of the area from Monday afternoon through Tuesday night.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 15, 11:24 AM MDT, 1 hour 53 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Riverton WY
1124 AM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light to moderate snow continues across the western mountains
  this weekend.

- A high wind event will ramp up for much of central Wyoming
  Sunday morning and continue into the day Monday.

- Chances are increasing for impactful winter storm across much
  of the area from Monday afternoon through Tuesday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 223 AM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

Things have been active the past couple of days, and will continue
to be active for the next several. As you know, this is March. And
March weather tends to be very volatile for many areas, as this
is the battle of the seasons with warmer air making more
inroads and winter wanting to hang on for a while longer. And,
although we will have mainly winter weather to deal with over
the next several days, there may be a bit of warm weather impact
to deal with. Warning: This discussion will be rather long with
the amount of things going on. And, to compare it, we will
relate this to something many people my age (I'm old) drove when
we were younger, a stick shift, or manual transmission when
relating to impacts.

Today may be the slowest of the four days, so the car will be in
first gear today, getting shifted into second at times. We
still have some activity. The main culprit today will be a
shortwave approaching from the west. Radar does show some snow
showers across Idaho as I write this around 1:30 am and these
will continue across the west through the day before tapering
off somewhat after sunset as we lose the heating of the day. As
for amounts, the NBM ensemble only gives at most a 1 out of 2
chance of 6 inches or more through 6 am Sunday and this would
largely be in areas where impacts would be limited, like
southwestern Yellowstone or in places where they want more snow,
like the Ski Resorts, so no highlights will be issued. The HREF
is a bit more bullish bit again, the highest totals would be in
places with few impacts or that want the snow. Plus, this is
March and people are used to this by now. Now on to the warmer
weather concern. Since, we are heading into March, the sun is
stronger and we can get some surface instability. Approximately
the western half of our area has negative lifted indices and
there is even up to 250 J/Kg of CAPE across the west. So, we
have added some thunder to the forecast, closely following the
Storm Prediction Center general outlook (they are the experts
after all). Just about any area East of the Divide could see a
shower, but pinpointing them is nearly impossible. So, we have
gone with around 1 in 6 chance everywhere. Most places East of
the Divide will stay dry most of the time though. With the low
wet bulb zero temperatures, we could even see some graupel, snow
pellets that look like small hail and form in convective
clouds. The showers East of the Divide should end after sunset
as we lose the heating of the day.

Things get more active tomorrow, so we will press the clutch and
shift up to third gear for this day. Another shortwave will be
approaching the area from the west. The thing that will be ramping
this up will be an 120 knot jet streak moving across our border with
Montana. And this will do two things. First, in the west, the added
jet dynamics and increased moisture will bring higher snowfall rates
to northwestern Wyoming starting Sunday morning and continuing
through the day before tapering off again in the evening. Guidance
is a little more bullish on this system, giving a greater than 3 in
5 chance of over 6 inches of snow across the Tetons, much of
Yellowstone Park and the western Absarokas. We may need some
advisories here but we will hold off for now and let the day crew
make the final decision. There should be another lull Sunday night
after this. However, the main impact would be East of the Divide
with the jet. We may be redlining the engine in third here, so
we will shift up to fourth gear for impacts. Much of central
Wyoming with be in the favored right front quadrant of the jet,
enhancing downward forcing. The big thing I'm looking at though
are the 700 millibar winds, which are very impressive, maxing
out at 75 knots on Sunday evening. All areas will be breezy to
windy though, as probabilistic guidance has almost all of our
area in a near 100 percent chance to see wind gusts over 30 mph
by later Sunday afternoon. Most of the areas in the High Wind
Watch still have a greater than 1 in 2 chance of wind gusts past
60 mph as well. This could be a notable wind event, with some
wind gusts to hurricane force at times in the wind prone areas
like Wyoming Boulevard south of Casper, especially Sunday night
when the strongest wind would occur. The southwest flow will
keep things dry though, and also warm temperatures back to above
normal levels. Wind should decrease somewhat Monday, but remain
rather strong.

Then we head toward Monday night and into Tuesday. And this is where
we shift the engine into fifth gear or even overdrive as far as more
widespread impacts are concerned. It is looking increasingly likely
that we will see an impactful snowstorm across much of the area. A
trough will move across the area, helping to induce lee cyclogenesis
in Colorado. This will also turn flow north to northeasterly,
enhancing upslope flow across much of the area, especially the
favored areas like Buffalo, Thermopolis, Lander and Casper. At the
same time, the area will be under the left front quadrant of an 120
knot jet, enhancing lift. Probabilistic guidance is rather
impressed with this as well, showing a 1 in 2 chance or greater
of 6 inches of snow or more across this area. This storm is
still four days out though, and details and timing can change a
bit. However, confidence is rising of a storm that could bring
at least moderate impacts to travel around central Wyoming
before it ends Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Unsettled weather will continue after this as well, as another
system may move into western Wyoming for Thursday or Friday. So,
things are rather active right now, not unusual for the month of
March.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1124 AM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

West of the Divide...KBPI/KJAC/KPNA/KRKS Terminals

An elongated axis of vorticity stretching across western
Wyoming late Saturday morning has allowed for continued IFR/MVFR
snow at KJAC. There should be slow improvement at KJAC by
21Z-23Z/Saturday as a ridge approaches from the west. Gusty
southwest wind 12-25kts develops at KJAC during this timeframe,
and instability favors convective snow showers until the sun
sets around 01Z-02Z/Sunday. Other convective showers could
produce brief IFR/MVFR at the remaining terminals from mid-
afternoon until sunset Saturday. Gusty westerly surface wind
persists at KRKS overnight, while other terminals see wind
decrease by 03Z/Sunday. All terminals then move to VFR before
warm air advection snow brings persistent snow to KJAC and KPNA
beginning 09Z-12Z/Sunday. Mountain tops obscured.

East of the Divide...KCOD/KCPR/KLND/KRIW/KWRL Terminals

All terminals to be VFR through the forecast period. The exception
will be the development of convective rain/snow showers by mid-
afternoon Saturday, leaving a 3-4-hour period where all
terminals but KCPR could see a brief MVFR shower. Otherwise,
the main hazard will be gusty westerly surface wind through
sunset Saturday, and then again by late Sunday morning. Gusty
westerly wind persists overnight at KCPR and KCOD, with the
latter seeing a period of LLWS given proximity to the Absaroka
Foothills. Wind speeds rapidly increase to 25-40kts at KCPR
between 14Z-18Z/Sunday. Gusty basin winds may not surface until
around 18Z/Sunday, but all terminals will see at least 20-30kt
wind by early Sunday afternoon. Mountain tops occasionally
obscured along the Continental Divide.

Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for
the latest information on smoke, icing, and turbulence forecasts.

&&

.RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Watch from Sunday morning through late Sunday night
for WYZ002-003.

High Wind Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday evening for
WYZ008-009-014-015.

High Wind Watch from Sunday morning through Monday morning for
WYZ019-020.

&&

DISCUSSION...Hattings
AVIATION...CNJ
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 15, 2:33 AM MDT, 10 hours 44 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Riverton WY
233 AM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

WYZ001>020-022>030-161300-
Yellowstone National Park-Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-
North Bighorn Basin-Southwest Bighorn Basin-Southeast Bighorn 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-
233 AM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL WYOMING FROM
SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Western and Central Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Light to possibly moderate snow for the western mountains.

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

Sunday through Monday morning...Strong to high wind possible for
much of central Wyoming. Please see High Wind Watches and
forecasts for details.

Sunday...Moderate snow likely for the northwestern mountains.

Monday afternoon through Tuesday night...An impactful winter storm
is looking more likely across much of the area. Details of snow
amounts and placement of heaviest snow remain somewhat uncertain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

Nearby

High Wind Warnings in Wyoming, 2025Every high wind warning in 2025

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.