An approaching cold front mixed down strong wind level winds and brought high winds to areas in the Lee of the Absarokas. The highest wind gust reported was 81 mph along the Chief Joseph Highway.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS RIW wrote it up.
An approaching cold front mixed down strong wind level winds and brought high winds to areas in the Lee of the Absarokas. The highest wind gust reported was 81 mph along the Chief Joseph Highway. In the wind prone areas near Clark, a gust to 77 mph was recorded.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Feb 8, 2:55 AM MST, 45 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 255 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 .SHORT TERM...Today through Saturday night Issued at 240 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 Today should be a fun day with high winds in the Cody Foothills and increasing snow in the north and northwest areas. Models are showing the front arriving around 00Z Friday but there will be precip ahead of it, especially in the mountains. Much like the last system, I think the models are a bit low on the QPF in the Big Horn Basin and Johnson County so I did a bit of tweaking. Snow totals are still in the warning range for mountain areas and advisory for the lower elevations but it is close. Add in the strong winds and a warning could still be warranted. For now I am leaving areas west of the Absaroka Mountains as watches so day shift can make the call closer to the event. The front will continue to push south Friday morning and bring a line of snow from Casper to Riverton bringing 1 to 3 inches across the central area. Friday night into Saturday morning the front will exit the area. 700mb temps behind the front are in the -14 to -16 range and cover most of the FA, slightly warmer west of the divide. With fresh snow, cloud cover, and light winds we will likely struggle to get out of the teens everywhere east of the divide on Saturday. .LONG TERM...Sunday through Thursday Issued at 240 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 A dry day is expected Sunday ahead of trough digging into the Pacific Northwest. This trough is expected to split has it pushes southeast across the Rockies Late Sunday night through Monday night. The associated cold front is expected to push across the region Monday with a decent chance of snow developing across the northwest late Sunday night, then spreading to areas east of the Divide Monday. The snowfall is expected to end quickly late Monday into Monday evening. Right now snowfall amounts look to be mainly on the light side. In wake of this trough, a dry day is expected Tuesday. However this is expected to be short- lived as yet another shortwave trough in the northwest pushes across the Northern Rockies Wednesday with another chance of snowfall across much of the area. Temperatures are expected to seasonal to slightly above average west/southwest with seasonal to slightly below average east of the Divide. At times the far north in wake of cold fronts, as well as trapped basins could be 10 to 15 degrees below average for highs. && .AVIATION...For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Friday morning Issued at 240 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 West of the Continental Divide...KJAC, KBPI, KPNA, and KRKS The main aviation hazard though the period will be LLWS vicinity and north of a KEMM-KLND line with ridge top winds increasing to 40-50kt Thursday morning. Otherwise, MVFR or low VFR ceilings will linger vicinity KJAC and KPNA through Thursday morning with surrounding higher mountains obscured. These ceilings should lift Thursday afternoon, before lowering again 6z-12z Friday. East of the Continental Divide...KCPR, KCOD, KRIW, KLND, and KWRL The main aviation hazard through early Thursday evening will be LLWS with FL 10kft winds increasing to 50-60kts. The northern Wind River, Absaroka and Bighorn Ranges will be frequently obscured in snow showers through the period. A cold front will push south to a vicinity KCOD-KBYG line 0z-03z Friday and to a vicinity KRIW-KCPR line by 09z. Widespread MVFR ceilings, areas of IFR ceilings and visibilities in -SN will follow the cold front through 12z Friday. Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for the latest information on icing and turbulence forecasts. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued AT 240 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 Strong west to southwest winds will blow across the lee of most mountain ranges through today and also in the Cody Foothills and wind corridor from Jeffrey City to Casper. Snow will fall in the northern mountains and then develop across the lower elevations of the north this afternoon and spread south through Friday. Gusty to strong north wind, snow, and falling temperatures will accompany the front. The southwest corner of the area will see the least effect from this front. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until 11 PM MST Friday for WYZ002. Winter Storm Watch from this afternoon through Friday evening for WYZ003-004-008>010. Winter Storm Watch from this evening through Friday evening for WYZ011. Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST Friday for WYZ001. High Wind Warning until 5 PM MST this afternoon for WYZ003. && SHORT TERM...Hulme LONG TERM...Murrell AVIATION...Meunier FIRE WEATHER...Hulme
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Riverton WY 310 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 WYZ001>020-022>030-091200- 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- 310 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 ...High Wind Warning for the Cody Foothills Today... ...Winter Storm Warning for the Absaroka Mountains through Friday... ...Winter Weather Advisory for Yellowstone Park through Friday... ...Winter Storm Watches for parts of North Central Wyoming Tonight through Friday... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Western and Central Wyoming. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Strong to high wind for the Cody Foothills. Windy conditions across the Upper Wind River Basin, and the Wind Corridor from Sweetwater County through Natrona County. Snow will become widespread and increase across the northwest mountains today and continue through Friday. Another strong cold front will push into the northern Wyoming late tonight. Accumulating snow, sharply colder temperatures and strong north wind will accompany the front. Please see the winter weather statement for more details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Friday...The cold front will continue to sweep across much of the area Friday into Friday night bringing snow into Central Wyoming. Accumulating snow, sharply colder temperatures and strong north wind will accompany the front. Monday...Another storm system will give a chance of snowfall across much of the area. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report snow amounts as well as any wind gusts of 45 mph or greater. Thank you. Team Riverton
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Riverton WY 209 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 WYZ005>007-082100- Southwest Big Horn Basin-Southeast Big Horn Basin- Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains- Including the cities of Thermopolis and Worland 209 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 After a fairly mild day today, a strong arctic cold front will push south across the area tonight and Friday with gusty north wind, snow and sharply falling temperatures. Snowfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are possible with 6 to 8 inches in the Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains. A period of gusty north wind Thursday night with falling temperatures will create some wind chills of zero to 10 below zero. Many locations will see temperatures dropping below zero Friday night. Stay tuned for the latest statements and forecast for this abrupt change in the weather back to cold and snow. WYZ017-018-082100- Wind River Basin-Lander Foothills- Including the cities of Riverton, Shoshoni, and Lander 209 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 After a mild day today, a strong cold front will push south across the area late tonight and Friday with gusty north wind, snow and sharply falling temperatures. Snowfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are possible with locally higher amounts. A period of gusty north wind late Thursday night and Friday morning with falling temperatures will create some wind chills to near zero. Stay tuned for the latest statements and forecast for this abrupt change in the weather back to cold and snow. WYZ020-022-082100- Natrona County Lower Elevations-Casper Mountain- Including the city of Casper 209 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 Strong southwest winds will blow today ahead of a strong cold front which will blast south across the area late Thursday night and Friday. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be common with localized gusts around 60 mph near Casper Mountain, including Outer Drive. Snow will gradually develop behind this cold front on Friday and continue into early Saturday. Snowfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected Friday and Friday night. A period of gusty north wind of 20 to 30 mph later Thursday night and Friday morning will create wind chills from around zero to 10 below zero. Stay tuned for the latest statements and forecast for this abrupt change in the weather back to cold and snow. WYZ019-082100- Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range- Including the city of Jeffrey City 209 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 Strong southwest winds will blow today ahead of a strong cold front which will blast south across the area late tonight and Friday. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be common with localized gusts around 60 mph. Snow will gradually develop behind this cold front on Friday and continue into early Saturday. Snowfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected Friday and Friday night with locally higher amounts in the mountains. A period of gusty north wind of 20 to 30 mph later Thursday night and Friday morning will create wind chills from around zero to 10 below zero. Stay tuned for the latest statements and forecast for this abrupt change in the weather back to cold and snow. WYZ014-015-082100- Wind River Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East- 209 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 Strong southwest winds will blow along and east of the divide through tonight ahead of an cold front. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be common with gusts to 60 mph over open areas and exposed ridges. Snow will also become more widespread and spread south down the range Thursday into Thursday night ahead of an arctic cold front. Snowfall amounts between Thursday and early Saturday will likely range from 5 to 10 inches across the north end of the range to 3 to 6 inches on the south end. Stay tuned for the latest statements and forecast for this abrupt change in the weather back to cold and snow. WYZ012-082100- Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains- 209 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 Snow will fall across the area at times through Friday. Total snowfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected with locally higher amounts. Gusty west wind today and tonight will create periods of blowing and drifting snow, especially over the exposed locations and ridges. Travellers can expect snow covered roads and reduced visibility over Teton Pass.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Riverton WY 333 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 WYZ016-082100- Upper Wind River Basin- Including the city of Dubois 333 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 Strong west to northwest wind of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph will occur across across the Upper Wind River Basin today including areas from Crowheart to Dubois. Slightly higher winds are expected northwest of Dubois where localized wind gusts of 60 mph could occur. Drivers of light or high profile vehicles are urged to use caution if traveling through these area today. WYZ028>030-082100- Rock Springs and Green River-Flaming Gorge-East Sweetwater County- Including the cities of Rock Springs, Green River, and Wamsutter 333 AM MST Thu Feb 8 2018 Strong westerly winds of 30 to 35 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph are expected across Sweetwater County today. Drivers of light or high profile vehicles are urged to use caution if traveling, especially on north to south orientated roads. 21
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
High winds occurred in the wind prone areas around Clark. Some of the stronger wind gusts included 77 mph 5 miles west-northwest of Clark and 60 mph 8 miles south of Clark.
Strong winds occurred along the Chief Joseph highway. Winds were sustained over 50 mph for several hours with a maximum wind gust of 81 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wyoming in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Wyoming, February 2018
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 738623, 738624.