Strong region of subsidence formed across the North Snowy Range Foothills with the approach and subsequent passage of a cold front. Several Wyoming Department of Transportation sensors in the area recorded high wind gust speeds.
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The episode as NWS CYS wrote it up.
Strong region of subsidence formed across the North Snowy Range Foothills with the approach and subsequent passage of a cold front. Several Wyoming Department of Transportation sensors in the area recorded high wind gust speeds. Additional spillage of strong winds were felt later in the afternoon across Niobrara and Platte Counties.
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 Cheyenne, WY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 29, 10:45 PM MST, 2 hours 59 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 1045 PM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 .UPDATE... Issued at 826 PM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 Included a small change in the forecast for areas in the Panhandle overnight with FOG as a possibility. Scottsbluff, Alliance, and other spots have observations in the last hour that have low visibility and fog. && .SHORT TERM...(Late This Afternoon & Tonight) Issued at 136 PM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 Rain & snow showers have been common across much of southeast WY & the western NE Panhandle this afternoon w/ the passage of weak mid level energy. Latest WV satellite imagery indicates this system is beginning to exit the area, so expect to see a gradual decrease in shower activity over the next few hours. We still have some modest CAPE near the surface, so a few convective cells may still lead to some heavier bursts of snow. The threat for snow squalls should be quite low given limited moisture & the fact that winds are not all that strong. Generally dry conditions can be expected overnight as we will be between systems, but fully expect snow chances to climb once again from west to east by early Thu with the approach of the next wave. A low-probability concern exists for a brief period of strong wind at Bordeaux late tonight into early Thursday. The models hint at a brief shot of subsidence and a short period of 2-4 mb sfc pressure gradients along the Laramie Range around 12z. The GFS shows around 45 knots of H8 flow near BRX at that time as well, so there is the potential for some gusts approaching 60 MPH. Not enough confidence to warrant any headlines at the moment, but something for the next shift to consider. .LONG TERM...(Thursday - Wednesday) Issued at 246 AM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 The biggest change in the near-term is Thursday's passing disturbance aloft, way more defined today than in previous model runs. This looks to be the better chance for widespread precipitation as there will be both surface based CAPE, as well as supporting dynamics aloft - therefore, convective banding is again possible, though more so than today, with possibility of banding both west and east of I-25. A warming and drying trend begins Friday as a ridge of high pressure builds into the west. This high will increase surface gradients across the region, especially along the wind-prone areas of southeast Wyoming, for a increased chance of strong winds, especially with the associated subsidence aloft, allowing for upper level winds to translate down towards the surface. Downsloping winds and adiabatic compression will lead to warmer temperatures than model guidance indicates, so have added a few degrees to daily high temperatures both Friday and Saturday, east of the Laramie Range, as the strong wind event continues into Saturday. Discrepancies between model guidance surfaces Sunday as winds diminish some and timing of an incoming cold front becomes the main forecast challenge. At this point, the majority of the day will be breezy, warm and dry and the ridge translates east and upper level flow turns towards the southwest. Still seeing near- critical fire weather conditions possible Sunday, but the window may be shortened if the GFS is correct in bringing the front in by Sunday evening. All other model guidance brings the front in overnight. Either way, Sunday high temperatures will be near record, followed by below normal temperatures Monday and TUesday with the passing disturbance. Will have to watch this system as we get closer, as models are developing a closed low with this system, and depending on where the low develops, could see increased chances for widespread snow accumulation across the region. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through late Thursday evening) Issued at 1045 PM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 Tonight: Main Aviation concern tonight/early Thursday morning will be patchy fog across the area. Fog has been fairly intermittent, with brief IFR conditions for an hour or two and then clearing. With low to midlevel cloudiness still moving across the area, still expect some fog to occasionally form at most terminals, with the exception of KCYS and KCDR. Forecast confidence is Low for the other terminals, including KRWL and KLAR due to the limited confidence with coverage of fog. After 15z: After any low CIGS or patchy fog lifts between 12z to 16z, gusty west to northwest winds will develop ahead of the next disturbance and associated cold front. Expect another round of snow to push across KRWL and KLAR by 17z-20z, and further east after 20z. Aviation Trends: Improving to VFR between 06z-12z for most terminals. Intermittent fog, mainly across western Nebraska, will quickly lower VIS and CIG to IFR or LIFR. VIS below one mile possible. MVFR CIGS likely after 17-20z Thursday. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 246 AM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 The next two days will be marked by cloudy skies, light showers, and near normal temperatures as two disturbances aloft pass quickly through the High Plains and adjacent High Terrain. Beginning Friday, we'll see a warming and drying trend take hold with increasing surface winds as a ridge of high pressure builds into the west, eventually making its way through over the weekend. Near critical fire weather conditions are possible both Saturday and Sunday as well as near record temperatures. A strong cold front will bring temperatures down by Monday to temperatures about 10 below normal. && .CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WY...None. NE...None. && UPDATE...BW SHORT TERM...CLH LONG TERM...AB AVIATION...TJT FIRE WEATHER...AB
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 703 PM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 WYZ106-110-116-117-311200- Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County- North Snowy Range Foothills-South Laramie Range- South Laramie Range Foothills- 703 PM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Wyoming and southeast Wyoming. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT Wind gusts up to 55 MPH will be possible in the Bordeaux area along Interstate 25 between Chugwater and Wheatland from late tonight through early Thursday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY Strong winds will be possible in the wind prone areas of southeast Wyoming from Friday through Sunday. An abrupt change to much colder temperatures will occur between Sunday and Monday, along with increased chances for snow. .Spotter information statement... Spotter activation will not be needed. NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101>105-107>109-111>115-118- 119-311200- Dawes-Box Butte-Scotts Bluff-Banner-Morrill-Kimball-Cheyenne- North Sioux-South Sioux-Converse County Lower Elevations- Niobrara County-North Laramie Range- Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-Shirley Basin-East Platte County- Goshen County-Central Carbon County-Southwest Carbon County- Sierra Madre Range-Upper North Platte River Basin-Snowy Range- Laramie Valley-Central Laramie County-East Laramie County- 703 PM MST Wed Jan 29 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of western Nebraska...east central Wyoming...south central Wyoming and southeast Wyoming. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY Gusty winds are possible over much of the area this weekend, especially Saturday night into early Sunday. An abrupt change to much colder temperatures will occur between Sunday and Monday, along with increased chances for snow. .Spotter information statement... Spotter activation will not be needed.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wyoming Department of Transportation sensor along Interstate 80 at County Road 402 measured the reported wind gust.
Wyoming Department of Transportation sensor at Coleman along Interstate 25 measured the reported wind speed.
Wyoming Department of Transportation sensor along United States Highway 20 at Van Tassell measured the reported wind speed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wyoming in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Wyoming, January 2020
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: 866695, 867007, 867008.