Low pressure developed over Colorado and moved rapidly into the Plains States. Moisture wrapped around the low and brought heavy snow and strong wind to portions of central Wyoming.
Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
Low pressure developed over Colorado and moved rapidly into the Plains States. Moisture wrapped around the low and brought heavy snow and strong wind to portions of central Wyoming. Hardest hit was northern Johnson County where heavy snow and winds gusting over 70 mph at times brought dangerous travel conditions that led to road closures, including Interstates 80 and 25. Heavy snow fell across much of central Wyoming, with some of the more notable amounts including: 9.5 inches in Casper, 11.5 inches near Meeteetse, and 11 inches at Sweetwater Station. The highest amount in the mountains was 16 inches, which fell on Casper Mountain as well as in the western Big Horn Range.
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 Apr 22, 3:13 PM MST, 5 hours 47 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 413 PM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 .SHORT TERM...This afternoon through Saturday night Rain and mountain snow showers continue over far western portions of the CWA this morning. Snow levels are ranging between 7000 and 7500 ft from the Tetons to eastern portions of Yellowstone. Snow levels are a bit higher near 8500 ft over the Gros Ventres and Togwotee Pass. This activity will continue through the rest of the day under the baroclinic leaf associated with the storm. This leaf will also be the result of the left front quadrant of the jet. The threat of lightning remains in the forecast for this area, with the combination of the upper level dynamics and instability, with 200- 400 J/kg in place. The strongest instability will occur over southern Lincoln County, which will coincide as the main trough axis begins to enter over the state and become negatively tilted. Small hail could occur with any convection that forms, along with brief heavy snow in the mountains. Precipitation chances will increase across Sweetwater County and east of the Divide through the afternoon. The location of the cold front is difficult to pinpoint this morning, but is forecasted to be along northern portions of the Wind River Basin and the Natrona/Johnson County line. Increasing southerly flow from the approaching trough will push the front to this location and cause additional instability to kick off the showers. Instability is lower in these areas, so do not anticipate much in terms of thunderstorm/lightning activity. Incidentally, it looks like the chances for strong to severe thunderstorms will be confined to a couple of the far western counties of WY this afternoon. The sfc low will begin to track eastward after sunset, bringing the colder air south through the Bighorn Basin and Johnson County. The cold front will reach the Divide between 03Z and 06Z, exiting the CWA no later than 12Z. 700mb temperatures will continue to fall from west to east this afternoon and tonight, with rain changing to snow between 03Z and 09Z Saturday. At the same time, the surface quickly tighten across the CWA as the sfc low races northeastward toward the Black Hills. This will result in 700mb winds increasing to 50 kt over the central basins and the eastern half of Sweetwater County between 06Z and 12Z Saturday. Severe wind gusts are not expected with this activity tonight, but northwest wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph are expected in the Bighorn Basin, northern portions of the Wind River Basin and southern Lincoln and Sweetwater counties. Johnson County, and the Buffalo area and I-25/90 in particular, are the exception. Blizzard conditions will rapidly develop as these winds and snow increase. A few models are hinting at sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph by midday Saturday, which would put the gusts in the 70 to 80 mph range (or even higher). Will not be going that high with the forecast, but regardless these conditions will make any travel extremely hazardous. These conditions are expected to last through the day Saturday, before snow gradually ends by 06Z. Wind gusts up to 35 mph will continue through the rest of the night. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 326 PM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 Northwest flow aloft will briefly be in place on Sunday as the trough exits the area. A few weak afternoon showers are possible mainly across the south and west, but most areas will begin to dry out. Conditions will remain cool, however, with decreasing clouds late in the day. Ridging begins to build in by Sunday night. Accordingly, Monday will be dry across the board, with highs warming to around normal for this time of year. The warming trend will continue on Tuesday, with highs in the basins in the upper 60s to low 70s. Flow does look to turn more southwesterly on Tuesday as a wave passes to our northwest. This will bring in drier air and an increased southwest wind along the Wind Corridor, elevating fire weather concerns. Otherwise, the passing wave could kick off some showers in the Yellowstone vicinity Tuesday night. After Tuesday, ensembles are generally showing the dry southwest flow continuing Wednesday and much of Thursday before a potential trough Thursday night. This solution would bring cooler and wetter conditions for next weekend. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 412 PM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 West of the Divide...KBPI/KJAC/KPNA/KRKS Terminals MVFR/IFR conditions will continue at terminals as snow becomes widespread. Gusty northwest wind will increase overnight, especially at KBPI, KPNA, and KRKS. Conditions will begin to improve after sunrise Saturday, but will keep vicinity showers through Saturday afternoon at KBPI, KPNA, and KJAC. Mountain obscurations are expected through the period. East of the Divide...KCOD/KCPR/KLND/KRIW/KWRL Terminals Rain switching to snow showers will become widespread this evening, with MVFR/IFR conditions expected at all terminals overnight through Saturday morning. Conditions will begin to improve after 18Z, but vicinity showers are possible at terminals through the period. A strong northwest wind will increase after 06Z tonight, lasting through the period, especially at KCOD, KWRL, and KCPR. Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for the latest information on icing and turbulence forecasts.| && .FIRE WEATHER... Valley rain/mountain snow will move west to east during the day today and become all snow overnight. Widespread wetting precipitation is expected through Saturday morning. Very strong winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph are expected with the precipitation, particularly across the Bighorn Basin and portions of zones 280/283/289. Gusts of 60 to 75 mph are expected across Johnson County. A drier and warming pattern will prevail after Sunday. Elevated fire weather conditions are expected Monday through Wednesday east of the Divide, with greatest focus across Sweetwater County on Tuesday. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 6 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ004>007-015-017-018-022-030. Winter Storm Warning from midnight tonight to 6 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ019-020. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ001-002- 012. Blizzard Warning from midnight tonight to midnight MDT Saturday night for WYZ010-011. Winter Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 6 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ003. Winter Storm Warning from 9 PM this evening to 6 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ008-009. && SHORT TERM...LaVoie LONG TERM...Myers AVIATION...Myers FIRE WEATHER...Murrell/LaVoie
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Riverton WY 443 PM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 WYZ001>020-022>030-231300- 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- 443 PM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 ...Multiple Winter Weather Highlights Continue through Saturday... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Western and Central Wyoming. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Snow continues west of the Continental Divide and across southwest Wyoming. Rain showers will gradually change to snow east of the Divide Friday evening and overnight. Additionally, northerly wind will increase substantially late tonight across central and northern areas. Please see the winter weather statement for details on this storm. Isolated thunderstorms across central Wyoming, mainly Natrona County, could generate small hail and gusty outflow wind to 35 mph early Friday evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Saturday...Significant snow is expected to end from west to east during the day with Johnson County being the last area to improve. Strong northerly wind of 30 to 50 mph will be common east of the Divide, with gusts to around 70 mph possible in Johnson County. Monday through Wednesday...Elevated fire weather conditions in Sweetwater County with the greatest impact coming Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 winter storm, 1 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter reported 11.5 inches of snow near Meeteetse. Amounts dropped sharply further north with only 2 inches around Cody. The snow combined with wind gusts over 60 mph to bring very difficult travel conditions at times.
Heavy snow fell in portions of the Big Horn Range. The highest amount was 16 inches at the Middle Powder SNOTEL site.
At the Cloud Peak SNOTEL site, 12 inches of new snow fell.
Heavy snow fell in portions of Natrona County. The highest amount was on the south side of Casper where 9.5 inches of snow fell.
A COOP observer reported 10.7 inches of snow at Sweetwater Station at the Intersections of Highways 287 and 135. The snow combined with strong winds to bring some road closures.
The Casper Mountain SNOTEL site had 16 inches of new snow.
Heavy snow combined with winds gusting as high as 76 mph produced blizzard conditions across northern Johnson County that lead to numerous road closures. Notable wind gusts included 76 mph at the Johnson County airport and 77 mph along Interstate 90.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wyoming in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Wyoming, April 2022
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: 1020659, 1020651, 1020652, 1020654, 1020653, 1020656, 1020649.