A strong jet stream was located over the region, with strong winds mixing down to the surface during the late morning to afternoon hours.
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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.
A strong jet stream was located over the region, with strong winds mixing down to the surface during the late morning to afternoon hours.
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 Mar 13, 3:57 AM MST, 5 hours 33 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 457 AM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, however gusts of 40 to 55 mph are expected to occur. High winds over 70 mph look to occur off the Washakie Needles (southern end of the Absaroka Mountains) and the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains. - There is a 60% chance of Cody and Casper reaching 60 mph. This could be an isolated gust that will likely occur between 3PM and 6PM. - Windy conditions will be widespread once again Saturday, with gusts of 40 to 55 mph impacting much of the CWA. High Wind Watches are in effect for central portions where higher gusts up to 60 mph are expected. - A cold front is forecast to bring light accumulating snow to lower elevations east of the Divide Saturday night into Sunday. Temperatures will be 10 to 30 degrees colder Sunday. - Confidence is high (90%) for well above average temperatures from Tuesday onward, with record-breaking heat possible. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 339 AM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026 Although the High Wind Warnings from Thursday have expired, gusty winds continue this morning over mainly western portions of the CWA. Gusts of 25 to 30 mph through the Jackson Valley will continue, before increasing around 15Z. Gusts of 35 to 55 mph also continue over South Pass. It will be another day of widespread gusty winds as the overall pattern remain in place and changes little compared to Thursday. The pressure gradient remains tight, as a 150kt jet streak of the PFJ moves over the Northern Plains today. Winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, however gusts of 40 to 55 mph are expected to occur. High winds over 70 mph look to occur off the Washakie Needles (southern end of the Absaroka Mountains) and the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains. However, these winds do not look to impact Red Canyon/South Pass, but will range between 60 and 70 mph. This be due to 700mb winds being more westerly, which is not as conducive for the higher winds. Will not issue new High Wind Warnings as a result. Some notable exceptions are Cody and Casper, where there are a 60% chance of reaching 60 mph. This could be an isolated gust that will likely occur between 21Z (3pm) and 00Z (6pm). Snow will continue over the higher elevation in northwestern portions, with most locations receiving 3 to 6 inches through the evening. Locally higher amounts will occur over the western slopes of the Absarokas, as a result of the northwest flow pattern. The flow aloft will become more zonal Saturday, as a storm system drops southward over northwestern MT. This will tighten the pressure gradient even more, with high winds returning to several locations. Windy conditions will be widespread once again, with gusts of 40 to 55 mph impacting much of the CWA. Central portions look to have higher gusts up to 60 mph, due to 700mb winds of 50 to 60kt. Additionally, these winds will be downsloping off the Wind River Mountains adding to the threat of 60 mph winds. Have issued High Wind Watches for the Wind River Basin, the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains, the Green Mountains/Rattlesnake Range and portions of Natrona County as a result. A Watch/Warning may also be needed for the Cody Foothills, but will leave for the day shift to take another look. Snow will continue over northwestern portions tonight into Saturday, with amounts of 12 to 16 inches over the higher elevations. Issued Winter Storm Watches for Yellowstone, the Absarokas, the Tetons/Gros Ventres and Bighorns for Saturday/Saturday night for these amounts, along with the added threat of 50 to 60 mph winds. Left the Wind River Mountains out of this package due to the higher amounts of snow occurring in the higher, more isolated elevations and not impacting South Pass. Wind was deemed to be the higher threat. The associated cold front will quickly move through the area starting after 00Z Sunday. Winds will begin to decrease, but the threat for an isolated gust of 60 mph will remain in place. This will especially be true for locations prone to post-frontal winds like Buffalo and Cody. However, this threat looks to only be for a few hours between 03Z and 06Z. Northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph will continue in these areas (the Bighorn Basin and Johnson County) will last through the night. Conditions will also be fighting the natural decoupling that occurs after sunset, so even though 700mb winds around 50kt will be in place between 00Z and 03Z it will be harder for those winds to mix down to the sfc. Snow will also occur along and behind the front for areas east of the Divide. The Cody Foothills, Johnson/Natrona counties and southern portions of Fremont County will have the best chances, with 2 to 3 inches expected Saturday night. Other locations east of the Divide will have more meager amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Winds will finally be decreasing across the area by sunrise Sunday morning, as the storm system makes its way into the Southern Plains. It will be a raw day for the ides of March, with readings 10 to 30 degrees colder from Saturday leaving daytime highs in the 20s and 30s. North to northwest winds will be in place, with breezy conditions returning to areas west of the Divide. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph will be widespread, including in the western mountains. These conditions will be temporary though (it is March after all), as a strong ridge builds over the West Coast Monday with a strong storm over the eastern half of the CONUS. Temperatures will rebound into the 40s and 50s, with gusty winds returning again. Gusts of 25 to 45 mph will occur again over southern and southwestern portions, but also include the Wind Corridor (from the Divide into Natrona County). The story from Tuesday onward will be the above normal temperatures as the high center from the ridge moves inland and settles over the Desert Southwest in the form of a 594dm high. This is very anomalous for this time of year and looks to result in highs in the 70s. Highs could reach into the lower 80s for portions east of the Divide by Thursday. Tuesday looks to be another breezy to windy day, as the ridge will still be well to the west of the region and allow the PFJ be over the Northern Rockies. This trend looks to decrease by Wednesday, as the high center moves over the Desert Southwest. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 445 AM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026 Largely VFR conditions should prevail across the terminals through 12Z Saturday. A stray shower is possible in the vicinity of KJAC that could bring brief VFR conditions, but most showers should remain in the mountains. Some mountain obscurations are possible in northern Wyoming though. Gusty to strong winds will redevelop at all terminals, with the strongest wind expected in the terminals East of the Divide except for KWRL as well as in vicinity of KRKS. All of these locations could see gusts past 40 knots this afternoon. Wind should diminish after sunset tonight but remain elevated through most of the night. Showers will spread southward across the state Saturday but a vast majority would likely hold off until after 12Z Saturday. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday evening for WYZ001-002-012. Winter Storm Watch from Saturday morning through late Saturday night for WYZ008-009. High Wind Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday evening for WYZ015. High Wind Watch from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening for WYZ016>020. && DISCUSSION...LaVoie AVIATION...Hattings
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Riverton WY 352 AM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026 WYZ001>020-022>030-141400- Yellowstone National Park-Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills- North Bighorn Basin-Southwest Bighorn Basin-Southeast Bighorn 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- 352 AM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026 ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR YELLOWSTONE...THE ABSAROKA...TETON...GROS VENTRE AND BIGHORN MOUNTAINS...FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... ...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FOR THE WIND RIVER BASIN...THE EAST SLOPES OF THE WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS AND PORTIONS OF NATRONA COUNTY FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Western and Central Wyoming. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, however gusts of 40 to 55 mph are expected to occur. High winds over 70 mph look to occur off the Washakie Needles (southern end of the Absaroka Mountains) and the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains. There is a 60% chance of Cody and Casper reaching 60 mph. This could be an isolated gust that will likely occur between 3PM and 6PM. Light snow will occur over the northwestern mountains today and tonight, with accumulations of 3 to 6 inches for most locations. Locally higher amounts up to 12 inches expected over the western slopes of the Absarokas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Saturday through Saturday Night...Widespread wind gusts 35 to 50 mph across most of the region. Higher gusts up to 60 mph expected over central portions. Another round of heavier snow arrives Saturday morning and persists through Saturday night. The passage of a cold front Saturday night will lead to light snowfall across lower elevations east of the Continental Divide after sunset Saturday. Sunday...Temperatures will be 10 to 30 degrees colder, in the 20s and 30s. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph will occur across areas west of the Divide. Tuesday through Thursday...Above normal to near-record temperatures expected, with readings in the 80s for some areas east of the Divide Wednesday and Thursday. .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 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Measured gust at the Mt Coffin BTAC sensor in the high elevations of the Wyoming Range.
Measured gust of 70 mph at the Nugget Canyon WYDOT sensor.
Measured wind gust of 73 mph at the Wood River East PC sensor.
Measured gusts of 63 mph at the I80 Tipton WYDOT sensor and 61 mph at the Rock Springs Airport ASOS.
Measured gusts of 59 mph at the Casper Airport ASOS and I25 Twenty Mile Hill WYDOT sensor.
Measured gust of 73 mph at the North Fork Popo Agie CWOP sensor.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wyoming in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Wyoming, March 2026
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: 1327337, 1327339, 1327338, 1327340, 1327341, 1327342.