(Fremont County, WY) – Folks in Fremont County and across the state experienced one of the windier days in recent memory yesterday, December 17, even for Wyoming.
The National Weather Service in Riverton reported that multiple wind gusts were recorded that reached Category 3 (111-129 mph) and Category 4 (130-156 mph) hurricane speeds. (Note: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies hurricane wind speed categories based on sustained wind speed, not gusts.)
Topping the charts was a gust recorded at Mount Coffin in Lincoln County (near Smoot), which clocked in at 144 mph.
Just after 8 AM, a 123 mph gust was recorded in the Red Canyon area on South Pass, while folks in Lander saw winds blow at 90+ mph throughout much of the morning. Dubois, Fort Washakie, and Hudson weren’t far behind with 60+ mph gusts. (Click here for the full list of the top recorded gusts in Western and Central Wyoming from the NWSR).
Shortly before the 123 mph gust in Red Canyon was recorded, WYDOT District 5 reported a semi blowover on South Pass.
High winds and winter weather conditions ultimately led to the closure of WY-28 South Pass roads for much of the morning and early afternoon.
While yesterday was exceptionally windy, travel corridors that always have issues with high winds, like I-80, I-90, and I-25, have experienced a number of semi blowovers the past two weeks as well. Here are just a few that the Wyoming Highway Patrol has shared.
The winds died down substantially today, December 18, but the NWSR is advising they should increase this evening into tomorrow with the prospect of an incoming winter weather system.
For the most up-to-date weather conditions from the NWSR, click here. For the most up-to-date road conditions from WYDOT, click here.