December 13, 2022 |
The massive storm bearing down on Wyoming and Nebraska today started later than expected, but the impacts will be felt through at least Thursday and maybe Friday.
Forecasters say how much snow falls over the next 24 hours depends on how much moisture the system can draw in from the south. Rawlins and Saratoga will receive at least seven or eight inches of snow – and as much as 15 inches. Meteorologist Michel Natoli with the National Weather Service said the high-low forecast is the result of competing weather models.
Pictured above: Interstate 80 near Vedauwoo on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. Photo courtesy WYDOT.
Moderate amounts of snow will fall through much of the day today. Light snow, blowing snow and wind can be expected north and south of Interstate 80 east of Elk Mountain tonight. Winds will be stronger at Elk Mountain and Arlington where a blizzard warning is in effect. Natoli said core blizzard impact times will be from this morning through mid-day Wednesday.
Travelers can expect wind gusts of 45 to 60 miles at times along the I-80 corridor, leading to rapidly changing driving conditions. Whiteouts are likely to develop quickly. The combination of falling and blowing snow will reduce visibility to one-quarter mile at times on slick and snow-covered roadways.
Blizzard conditions also are likely on the I-80 summit between Laramie and Cheyenne today and tomorrow. Forecasters say the prolonged elevated winds could persist through Friday.
The other big concern is the bitterly cold wind chill temperatures we’ll have to endure through the duration of the storm event and beyond. Widespread minimum wind chills between -5 degrees and -20 degrees are anticipated. Wind chills may recover to near 0 to 5 degrees during the today and tomorrow.
The minimum wind chill temperatures for Rawlins and Saratoga will be around -7 degrees and even lower at Elk Mountain. Wind chills will remain bitterly cold for Thursday and Friday after the snow comes to an end.
Stretches of Interstate 80 were closed across much of southern Wyoming Tuesday because of the storm. The Hanna-Elk Mountain-Medicine Bow schools operated started the day on a two-hour delay.
The winter storm warning is in effect across Carbon County until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
