February 2, 2024 |
Photo – Generic High/Low Pressure weather map – Courtesy wunderground.com
Carbon County set both new record high and low temperatures in January. Forecasters say the unseasonably warm weather has come to an end.
Our area has been experiencing higher-than-average temperatures due to a strong high-pressure system from the southwest.
National Weather Service Cheyenne branch Lead Forecaster Gerry Claycomb said a different high-pressure system caused the nice weather to stall over Carbon County. Claycomb said a low-pressure system from the west will bring winter temperatures back to our area.
With lower temperatures comes snow. Speaking to Bigfoot99 yesterday morning, Claycomb said he predicts snow will begin today and last until Sunday.
The latest forecast from the National Weather Service indicates Saratoga may receive four to five inches of snow over the weekend with the mountains getting somewhere around two feet.
Claycomb said his weather models are showing even more snow on the horizon. The lead forecaster said there is a chance another system will bring additional snowfall next week.
This latest high-pressure system brought record breaking warm weather with it. Claycomb said on Tuesday, Rawlins broke its 53-year-old high temperature record by a single degree.
Earlier in the month, a low-pressure system from Canada caused temperatures in our area to dip well below zero. Claycomb said on January 13th, Rawlins set a new record low temperature of minus 20 degrees.
Claycomb said not to be concerned by the lack of snow so far this year. The lead forecaster said it is not unusual for our area to receive little snow in January. Claycomb said more snow is likely on the way.
Snow is good news for outdoor recreationists and for Rawlins residents who rely on underground springs to supply their water. Claycomb said the next couple months could make up for January’s lack of snow.
