A major winter storm brought periods of moderate to heavy snowfall and gusty northwest winds to 45 mph. This resulted in blizzard conditions over large portions of north central Wyoming.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 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 BYZ wrote it up.
A major winter storm brought periods of moderate to heavy snowfall and gusty northwest winds to 45 mph. This resulted in blizzard conditions over large portions of north central Wyoming. Observations showed prolonged reductions in visibilities below 1 mile. Interstate 90 was closed for a prolonged period of time. In addition, schools instituted virtual learning and the Wyoming Department of Transportation urged no unnecessary travel.
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 Billings, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 13, 9:31 AM MST, 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Billings MT
931 AM MST Tue Dec 13 2022
.UPDATE...
Slow-moving upper low is over southwest NE and lifting to the
north. Trowal is beginning to wrap heavier precip into our east
this morning and existing winter storm highlights look good. There
remains a dry layer at mid levels in our northeast, and Baker is
reporting freezing drizzle at this time. This will be short-lived
as the profile is moistening from the east. Winds are mostly 10-20
mph but will be increasing this afternoon as the low moves
northward...so expect the blowing snow risk to increase thru the
day. We already have a report of 6-8" in the Sheridan area. Once
winds pick up a bit, travel conditions will become very difficult
or impossible. Stay safe!
Forecast is in good shape. Billings and the north slopes of the
Beartooth-Absarokas are seeing light upslope snow, which should
gradually taper this afternoon as focus of ascent will be in our
east. Have adjusted pops/winds per latest trends.
JKL
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Today through Wednesday night...
Snow was diminishing over western areas early this morning as a
large upper low shifted east through Colorado into western Kansas.
Elsewhere, snow was ongoing over central and eastern zones, with
webcams and radar returns showing an area of moderate snow over
southern portions of Big Horn County into Sheridan County.
Heading through the day, light snow will slowly diminish over
areas west of Big Horn County, with only light accumulations
expected there (an inch or less of additional snowfall). Across
southeast Montana and north central Wyoming, snow may lighten up a
bit during the day, before picking up in intensity later this
afternoon into the evening as a wave rotating around the low
spreads into the area from the east.
As moisture continues to wrap around the low and into the region,
eastern areas will see periods of moderate to heavy snow tonight
through Wednesday night, as a deformation zone sets up over
eastern MT/WY and into the Dakotas. Gusty northwest winds (gusts
up to 45 mph in some areas) will develop over eastern areas as
well, strongest over Sheridan County and far southeast Montana.
The combination of falling and blowing snow will cause extended
periods of near blizzard to blizzard conditions for these areas,
especially tonight through Wednesday night. As far as snow totals
for the next 48 to 60 hour period: Big Horn to Sheridan County and
areas east can still expect anywhere from 8 to 16 inches of
snowfall into Thursday. Delay travel through eastern
Montana/Wyoming into the Dakotas if possible, as this winter storm
will bring widespread and significant impacts to the region. Have
gone ahead and dropped the Winter Weather Advisory over south
central Montana and continued the Winter Storm Warnings and
Blizzard Warnings elsewhere, as they remain in good shape.
High temperatures will range from the teens and 20s today through
Wednesday, warmest over the west. Overnight lows in the single
digits to teens can be expected. STP
Thursday through Monday...
Thursday into Friday morning, the upper low will still bring some
light snow to far eastern MT but additional snow will be 1-2
inches there. It will be windy from southeast MT to north central
WY so blowing and drifting snow will continue to be a hazard
there. Elsewhere, an upper air disturbance will move southward
over central MT-central WY which will cause scattered snow
showers there. Low-level lapse rates look steep enough that the
snow likely will take an upslope/downslope pattern with little-
nothing from Harlowton to Billings but more though still light
snow south and southeast of Billings in the mountains and Big
Horn County, MT.
Friday afternoon into Saturday morning, an upper air shortwave
ridge will move over the Northern Rockies with dry conditions. It
will be breezy so blowing and drifting snow will still be a
concern.
Later Saturday into early Sunday, models bring an Arctic cold
front across our area, with a period of cold weather likely to
follow into early next week. Periods of light snow are possible as
weak disturbances move through the upper flow over our region. The
amount of snow is uncertain namely because of the uncertainty in
the upper air flow pattern. If the flow pattern allows for Pacific
moisture to overrun the cold air mass over our area we could
receive more in the way of snow, but if the flow pattern is mainly
just bringing in Arctic air aloft, there will be less moisture
available and thus less snow for our area.
High temperatures will generally range from the teens to lower 30s
Thursday through Saturday then single digits and teens Sunday and
Monday. There is more uncertainty in the temperatures for Sunday
and Monday because of the uncertainty in the flow pattern
mentioned above: where exactly will that upper low go? The NBM
10th-90th percentile range in high temperatures for Billings on
Sunday is -2F to 21F and for Monday is -6F to 20F. RMS
&&
.AVIATION...
Ongoing winter storm will bring widespread IFR or lower in snow
and blowing snow east of KBIL (including KSHR, KMLS & KBHK) over
the next 24 hours. From KBIL westward areas of snow will be light
but may produce occasional MVFR today. Mountains will remain
obscured. Expect wind gusts of 20-30 knots east of KBIL. JKL
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...
Tdy Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
-------------------------------------------------------
BIL 022 009/029 016/029 015/029 013/027 004/013 905/007
6/S 23/S 43/S 21/B 12/S 22/S 21/E
LVM 028 012/027 013/026 012/028 012/029 006/018 001/016
2/S 14/S 33/S 30/N 11/B 22/S 22/S
HDN 018 008/024 011/026 010/025 006/025 903/008 910/003
7/S 65/S 74/S 41/B 12/S 32/S 21/B
MLS 014 011/018 012/019 009/016 000/017 905/003 913/901
8/S 99/S 84/S 31/Q 11/B 21/E 11/I
4BQ 015 011/019 014/021 012/020 004/024 902/010 910/005
+/S ++/S 84/S 42/S 11/B 11/E 00/B
BHK 016 011/016 009/016 007/014 901/017 905/005 912/000
+/S ++/S 85/S 32/S 11/B 11/E 10/B
SHR 017 011/025 012/024 010/023 008/028 902/014 908/010
+/S +8/S 75/S 62/S 11/B 22/S 11/B
&&
.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Storm Warning in effect until 5 AM MST Thursday FOR
ZONES 30>33-57-58-138-169-171.
Blizzard Warning in effect until 5 AM MST Thursday FOR ZONES
36-37.
WY...Winter Storm Warning in effect until 5 AM MST Thursday FOR
ZONE 198.
Blizzard Warning in effect until 5 AM MST Thursday FOR ZONE
199.
&&
weather.gov/billingsPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
538 AM MST TUE DEC 13 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 AM SNOW 10 ESE ASHLAND 45.59N 106.12W
12/13/2022 M1.5 INCH POWDER RIVER MT COCORAHS
&&
RMSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
625 AM MST TUE DEC 13 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 AM SNOW 5 SE REED POINT 45.67N 109.47W
12/13/2022 M2.0 INCH STILLWATER MT COCORAHS
&&
STPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
726 AM MST TUE DEC 13 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW 15 SW ROUNDUP 46.33N 108.74W
12/13/2022 M1.0 INCH MUSSELSHELL MT CO-OP OBSERVER
0700 AM SNOW 18 NNW RYEGATE 46.53N 109.34W
12/13/2022 M2.0 INCH GOLDEN VALLEY MT CO-OP OBSERVER
&&
JWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
840 AM MST TUE DEC 13 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0657 AM SNOW 4 WSW BILLINGS 45.76N 108.61W
12/13/2022 M1.8 INCH YELLOWSTONE MT COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 2 W STORY 44.58N 106.93W
12/13/2022 M2.0 INCH SHERIDAN WY COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 3 SSW SHERIDAN 44.75N 106.99W
12/13/2022 M4.0 INCH SHERIDAN WY COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 5 NNE CLEARMONT 44.70N 106.33W
12/13/2022 M3.6 INCH SHERIDAN WY COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 19 NNW BROADUS 45.67N 105.62W
12/13/2022 M3.5 INCH POWDER RIVER MT COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 5 SE KLEIN 46.35N 108.48W
12/13/2022 M2.0 INCH MUSSELSHELL MT COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 14 NNE SHERIDAN 44.98N 106.85W
12/13/2022 M4.6 INCH SHERIDAN WY COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 8 E COLUMBUS 45.62N 109.10W
12/13/2022 M1.6 INCH STILLWATER MT COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 7 ESE LIVINGSTON 45.64N 110.43W
12/13/2022 M2.4 INCH PARK MT COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 1 S PARK CITY 45.63N 108.92W
12/13/2022 M2.0 INCH STILLWATER MT COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 1 NW ROUNDUP 46.45N 108.55W
12/13/2022 M1.5 INCH MUSSELSHELL MT COCORAHS
0700 AM SNOW 3 NNE BILLINGS 45.84N 108.52W
12/13/2022 M3.0 INCH YELLOWSTONE MT COCORAHS
0730 AM SNOW 1 N SHERIDAN 44.81N 106.96W
12/13/2022 M5.0 INCH SHERIDAN WY COCORAHS
0753 AM SNOW 3 SW RED LODGE 45.16N 109.29W
12/13/2022 M5.0 INCH CARBON MT COCORAHS
0800 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 W BIG HORN 44.68N 107.01W
12/13/2022 M6.8 INCH SHERIDAN WY CO-OP OBSERVER
0800 AM SNOW 2 WSW STORY 44.57N 106.93W
12/13/2022 M5.0 INCH SHERIDAN WY COCORAHS
0800 AM SNOW 1 WSW LIVINGSTON 45.66N 110.58W
12/13/2022 M1.6 INCH PARK MT COCORAHS
0800 AM SNOW 25 SSE HYSHAM 45.94N 107.14W
12/13/2022 M2.0 INCH TREASURE MT CO-OP OBSERVER
0815 AM SNOW RANCHESTER 44.91N 107.16W
12/13/2022 M5.0 INCH SHERIDAN WY PUBLIC
&&
LTPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
907 AM MST TUE DEC 13 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW 15 N POMPEYS PILLAR 46.20N 108.00W
12/13/2022 M1.4 INCH YELLOWSTONE MT CO-OP OBSERVER
0751 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 W STORY 44.58N 106.91W
12/13/2022 M6.0 INCH SHERIDAN WY CO-OP OBSERVER
0900 AM SNOW 3 ESE PARK CITY 45.62N 108.87W
12/13/2022 M2.0 INCH STILLWATER MT TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
JWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
920 AM MST TUE DEC 13 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 AM SNOW 4 ENE HUNTLEY 45.94N 108.25W
12/13/2022 M1.6 INCH YELLOWSTONE MT CO-OP OBSERVER
0918 AM HEAVY SNOW SHERIDAN 44.80N 106.96W
12/13/2022 M7.0 INCH SHERIDAN WY EMERGENCY MNGR
ESTIMATING 6-8 INCHES OF SNOW WITHIN THE CITY OF
SHERIDAN. VERY LOW VISIBILITY REPORTED.
&&
LTThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Interstate 90 was closed from Sheridan to Buffalo. In addition, some schools were on virtual learning.
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, December 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: 1066555.