A moist northeasterly upslope flow developed and brought heavy snow to the higher elevations of the Wind River Range. Snowfall amounts generally ranged from 12 to 18 inches above 8000 feet.
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The episode as NWS RIW wrote it up.
A moist northeasterly upslope flow developed and brought heavy snow to the higher elevations of the Wind River Range. Snowfall amounts generally ranged from 12 to 18 inches above 8000 feet. Amounts dropped sharply in lower elevations.
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 May 3, 3:36 PM MST, 3 hours 24 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 436 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday night) Issued at 230 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 A lot of weather to discuss today. A multi-vortex circulation currently positioned over Utah will continue to move eastward this evening and tonight, bringing widespread precipitation to the region through Wednesday afternoon. This morning and through the afternoon, snow, heavy at times, has been occurring along the I-80 corridor from Green River to Wamsutter. Light snow across the western mountains has also been occurring through the day, with several inches falling across some of the western peaks overnight. Across the north and east, precipitation has been increasing with some scattered thunderstorms developing early this afternoon across northern basins. This precipitation will continue to rotate into the Wind River Basin later this evening. Models have become more consistent with the track of this system across southern WY/northern CO. This track will result in a significant upslope favored pattern for the Lander Foothills and east slopes of the Wind River Mountains. This upslope-favored area is our biggest focus with the forecast. Snow will continue across the west and south as precipitation bands continue to wrap around the low into those areas. Snow amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible along the I-80 corridor and have gone with SPS's to message the slushy travel potential for the overnight and early morning hours as temperatures drop and the sun goes down. As for the previously mentioned upslope favored area, models have really begun pegging the southeast Wind Rivers and Lander foothills with 1 to 2 inches of QPF. In the mountains, this equates to over a foot to close to two feet of snow. Given this, and the fact that South Pass is in this favored area, have gone with a Winter Storm Warning for Zn 15. Upslope precipitation will continue through much of the day Wednesday as the deformation axis continues to rotate around the low, but the heaviest precipitation will end by early afternoon Wednesday. Most areas should see drying and clearing later in the evening and overnight. The areas that do clear out, will likely see areas of patchy fog develop. .LONG TERM...(Thursday through Tuesday) Issued at 230 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 The quick-moving pattern finally comes to an end Thursday, with one last quick-moving ridge. Temps will recover back into the 50s and 60s, with light southwest flow. The ridge gets pushed out by a gradually deepening trough along the Rockies, bringing persistent agitated weather for most of the state. With the upper low wobbling around from Idaho into eastern Nevada and northern Utah, the main moisture flow will continue from California into western WY. This will bring persistent light precipitation for the western mountains Friday into Saturday, then slowly spreading east of the divide Sunday into early next week. Models have been a little more consistent for early next week, but are still differing considerably on precipitation, especially for areas around Casper Mountain and central WY. Leaned toward a drier forecast for now, but kept from putting up a fully dry Mother's Day and following Monday. Will keep a close eye on any changes, which could bring a much wetter and possibly snowy time to this most important holiday weekend. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday) Issued at 435 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 Moisture continue to move across western and central Wyoming, with cigs lowering through the night and showers at most locations tonight into tomorrow morning. Initial rain this evening will gradually mix with light snow overnight, with some brief lowering of vis and cigs with heavier showers. Showers will continue mainly east of the divide Wednesday, with some brief clearing at KJAC/KBPI/KPNA Wednesday afternoon. 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 230 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 Rain and mountain snow will be widespread across the region through early Wednesday afternoon. Heaviest precipitation will occur along the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains and the Lander Foothills overnight tonight. Thursday and Friday will be dry, breezy and warmer, but significant moisture from Tuesday and Wednesday will keep RHs around 25 to 35 percent. Another wet system will bring more widespread rain and mountain snow to the region over the weekend. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening to noon MDT Wednesday for WYZ015. && SHORT TERM...Hensley LONG TERM...Straub AVIATION...Straub FIRE WEATHER...Hensley
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Riverton WY 300 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 WYZ001>020-022>030-042100- 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- 300 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 ...Winter Storm Warning for the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains from 6 PM Tonight through Noon Wednesday... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Western and Central Wyoming. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue to increase across the valleys this afternoon. Snow showers across the west and south also will continue, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible. Significant accumulations over 1 foot are possible in the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains overnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Wednesday...Rain and snow will begin to taper off late in the afternoon. Patchy fog is possible overnight. Saturday through Monday...Good chances for valley rain and mountain snow. Snow levels could lower to valley floors starting Saturday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report rain and snowfall amounts.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Riverton WY 245 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 WYZ014-041200- Wind River Mountains West- 245 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 ...Snow Likely Tonight through Wednesday... This is a special weather statement from the National Weather Service Office in Riverton. * WHAT...Snow. Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with up to 8 inches above 9000 feet. * WHERE...Wind River Mountains West. * WHEN...Late this afternoon through Wednesday. The steadiest snow is expected late tonight through Wednesday morning. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Outdoor enthusiasts should be prepared for wet and cold conditions. WYZ008-009-041200- Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn Mountains Southeast- 245 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 ...Snow Likely Tonight through Wednesday... This is a special weather statement from the National Weather Service Office in Riverton. * WHAT...Snow. Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with up to 8 inches above 9000 feet. * WHERE...Big Horn Mountains. * WHEN...Tonight through Wednesday. The steadiest snow is expected late tonight. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Mountain passes may become slick and snow covered. This includes Granite Pass and Powder River Pass. Outdoor enthusiasts should be prepared for wet and cold conditions. WYZ002-041200- Absaroka Mountains- 245 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 ...Snow Likely Tonight through Wednesday... This is a special weather statement from the National Weather Service Office in Riverton. * WHAT...Periods of snow. Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with locally up to 8 inches in the southern Absarokas. * WHERE...Absaroka mountains. * WHEN...This afternoon through tonight. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Outdoor enthusiasts should be prepared for wet and cold conditions. WYZ019-027>030-041200- Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-South Lincoln County- Rock Springs and Green River-Flaming Gorge-East Sweetwater County- Including the cities of Jeffrey City, Kemmerer, Cokeville, Rock Springs, Green River, and Wamsutter 245 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 ...Wet Snow through Wednesday... This is a special weather statement from the National Weather Service Office in Riverton. * WHAT...Periods of wet snow, mixed with rain early, then becoming all snow this evening. Accumulations of 1 to 3 inches expected. * WHERE...Sweetwater County, Southern lincoln County, and the Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Ranges. * WHEN...Late tonight through Wednesday morning. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Roads may become slick and snow covered late tonight. This includes Interstate 80.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Riverton WY 600 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 WYZ030-040300- East Sweetwater County- Including the city of Wamsutter 600 PM MDT Tue May 3 2022 ...Heavy Wet Snow This Evening... This is a special weather statement from the National Weather Service Office in Riverton. * WHAT...Moderate to Heavy snow. Accumulations of 2 to 3 inches. * WHERE...Eastern Sweetwater County. * WHEN...Until 9 PM. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Interstate 80 will be impacted from Tipton to Creston Junction. Roads may become slick to snow covered. Visibility will be reduced to less than one half mile.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 12 to 18 inches of new snow above 8000 feet of elevation.
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, May 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: 1025795.