The combination of a passing cold front and a strong jet stream overhead brought high winds to western and central Wyoming for the third time in as many days. The highest winds occurred in the mountains.
Every event with a place to put it; 13 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.
The combination of a passing cold front and a strong jet stream overhead brought high winds to western and central Wyoming for the third time in as many days. The highest winds occurred in the mountains. Mount Coffin in the Salt and Wyoming Range registered a maximum wind gust of 141 mph. Along South Pass in the Wind River Mountains, the maximum gust was 111 mph. The high wind resulted in roads closing to high profile vehicles for several hours, impacting transportation. The passing cold front was accompanied by a period of moderate to heavy snow that further hampered transportation.
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 14, 3:56 AM MST, 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 456 AM MDT Sat Mar 14 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Wind continues and strengthens after sunrise Saturday, with gusts of 45 to 65 mph impacting most of Wyoming. High Wind Warnings remain in effect for much of the area. - A cold front will bring moderate accumulating snow to the mountains Saturday. Central and northern Wyoming basins east of the Continental Divide could also see an inch or two of snow Saturday evening into Sunday morning. - Temperatures on Sunday will be about 15 to 35 degrees colder than those experienced Saturday. - Confidence is high (90%) for well above average temperatures from Tuesday into next weekend, with record-breaking heat looking increasingly likely. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 303 AM MDT Sat Mar 14 2026 The day is finally here for the last day for expected high winds across the Cowboy State. That is not to say there still won't be a few days of gusty winds through Wednesday, but 60+ mph winds are not expected from here on out through the next 7 days. The flow pattern aloft will become more zonal today, as a storm system drops southward over northwestern MT. This will tighten the pressure gradient, 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. High Wind Warnings remain in effect for much of the forecast area, starting in the Cody Foothills and Hot Springs County this morning and spreading to include most areas east of the Divide and southern portions by 18Z. Expect gusts of 50 to 65 mph in these areas. Snow levels of 6500 to 7000ft are in place across much of the area this morning with snow occurring over northwestern portions. Snow will then increase after sunrise, with periods of moderate to heavy snow possible in the afternoon as the cold front approaches. There will be a convective component adding to the heavier snowfall rates, as CAPE values of 100-200 J/kg will possible ahead of the front. Snowfall amounts have come down slightly, but still expect amounts up to 12 inches over the higher elevations of the Tetons, Gros Ventres, Bighorns and western slopes of the Absarokas. Amounts of 4 to 8 inches expected elsewhere including the Salt River/Wyoming Ranges and YNP. There could even be a thunderstorm over portions of the Jackson/Star Valleys this afternoon, with the added instability. The aforementioned CAPE values is due to how warm conditions are ahead of this strong cold front. There could even be a thunderstorm over southern Sublette/western Sweetwater counties, as rain showers develop over southern portions of the CWA late in the afternoon. The cold front will begin to push into far northern WY by 21Z, quickly pushing southward and reaching the Divide by 03Z. Precipitation will quickly turn from rain to snow behind the front, as temperatures rapidly drop (Cody looks to drop from 53F to 34F between 21Z and 00Z; Buffalo 48F to 34F). Roads may become icy in these areas in the evening, as snow begins to accumulate. Snowfall amounts east of the Divide have come down, with an 1 to 1.5 inch for Cody, Buffalo and areas along I-25 in Natrona County, including Casper. The rest of the area will have up to 1 inch, at best. The snow tonight east of the Divide looks to occur as snow squalls, as chances occur in a 2 to 4 hour period tonight. The fast progression of the front will allow the more drier aspect of the airmass to take over. So while temperatures will be cold enough for snow, the available moisture will get pushed southward with the front. Winds will begin to decrease across the CWA after 00Z with the approach of the front, but portions of the Bighorn Basin and northern Johnson County (which are prone to post-frontal northerly winds) will have northerly gusts of 45 to 55 mph behind the front through the overnight hours tonight. Winds will be decreasing across the area through the rest of the night, with gusts up to 25 mph still impacting a few areas by sunrise Sunday morning. It will be a raw day for the ides of March, with readings 15 to 35 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 cold conditions will be temporary though (it is March after all), as a strong ridge builds over the West Coast Monday irt 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 40 mph will occur again over southern and southwestern portions, as well as portions of 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 592dm 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 (wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph), as the ridge will still be well to the west of the region and allow the PFJ to be over the Northern Rockies. This translates to 700mb northwest winds of 25-45kt. This trend looks to go away by Wednesday, as the high center moves over the Desert Southwest. River levels may begin to rise by next Friday, but soil conditions remain very dry and are expected to absorb any extra water. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 448 AM MDT Sat Mar 14 2026 A combination of wind and precipitation will impact the terminals through 12Z Sunday. Most TAF sites will see wind gusts past 30 knots during the afternoon and evening today, with some gusts to 50 knots possible (around a 50 percent chance) in vicinity of KLND, KRIW, KCPR and KRKS. Even stronger gusts may occur as a cold front passes through the area from north to south this afternoon and evening. Showers will impact KJAC starting later this morning and then push further east and south this afternoon and evening, with most showers ending by 07Z Sunday as the front moves away to the south and east. Most locations will have a chance at MVFR conditions with the frontal passage with IFR conditions possible in heavier snow showers. The best chance of this will be at KCPR where we have prevailed IFR conditions. A couple locations may see a thunderstorm this afternoon and evening but not enough confidence to prevail. Wind should begin to decrease after 04Z from west to east but remain elevated through much of the night, especially in the terminals East of the Continental Divide. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 11 PM MDT this evening for WYZ001-002-008-009-012. High Wind Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for WYZ003-005. High Wind Warning from 9 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening for WYZ007-011-015>020-022. High Wind Warning from noon today to 11 PM MDT this evening for WYZ026>030. && DISCUSSION...LaVoie AVIATION...Hattings
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Riverton WY 335 AM MDT Sat Mar 14 2026 WYZ001>020-022>030-151345- 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- 335 AM MDT Sat Mar 14 2026 ...High Wind Warnings in Effect for a Wide Area Saturday... ...Winter Weather Advisories for the Northwestern and Northern Mountains Saturday and Saturday Evening... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Western and Central Wyoming. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Widespread wind gusts 40 to 60 mph across most of the region with local gusts to 70 mph in central Wyoming. Heavier snow arrives in the northwestern and northern mountains Saturday morning and persists through Saturday night. The passage of a cold front Saturday night leads to light snowfall across lower elevations east of the Continental Divide after sunset Saturday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Sunday...Temperatures will be 15 to 35 degrees colder, with daytime highs in the 20s and 30s. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph will occur across areas west of the Divide. Tuesday through Friday...Above normal to near-record temperatures expected, with readings in the 80s for some areas east of the Continental Divide Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. .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.
13 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
High wind occurred in portions of the Lander Foothills. Some notable maximum gusts included 82 mph at North Fork of the Pop Agie River and 72 mph at the Lander airport.
High wind occurred in portions of Natrona County. Some notable gusts included 76 mph at Scenic Drive and 67 mph at the Natrona County airport.
A 73 mph wind gust occurred at the Grass Creek Divide RAWS site.
There were several hours of hurricane force wind gusts on Red Canyon over South Pass, with a maximum wind gust of 111 mph.
A 67 mph wind gust occurred occurred at the Sharpnose RAWS site. A maximum gust of 59 mph occurred at the Riverton airport.
A maximum wind gust of 78 mph occurred at the Fales Rock RAWS site. In the lower elevations, the highest wind gust was 68 mph at Pathfinder along Highway 220.
Wind gusts has high as 70 mph occurred at the Rock Springs Airport. Numerous locations along Interstate 80 had wind gusts to 64 mph.
High wind occurred in the southern Big Horn Basin. Some notable gusts included 65 mph in Thermopolis and 59 mph at the Hot Springs County airport.
High wind occurred in portions of the Cody Foothills. The maximum gust reported was 67 mph at Irma Lake.
A 76 mph wind gust occurred along Scenic Drive.
Extremely strong wind occurred on Mount Coffin, with gusts as high as 141 mph.
Measured gust to 122 mph at the Surprise Pinnacle BTAC high elevation sensor in the Teton Range.
A maximum wind gust of 72 mph was reported at Nugget Canyon along Us Highway 30.
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: 1326525, 1326543, 1326500, 1326517, 1326518, 1326531, 1326554, 1326488, 1326429, 1326546, 1326552, 1327446, 1326553.