(Fremont County, WY) – County 10 meteorologist Dave Lipson has shared that today, December 19, another vigorous Pacific trough and Pacific cold front will approach the region.
The winds with this next potent weather system will pack quite a punch with west-southwest winds of 40 to 50 mph, and gusts of 60 mph. The Lander foothills, including the town of Lander, could see 70 to 80 mph winds, and Beaver Rim could see gusts of 80 to 90 mph. Along Highway 28 above Red Canyon, 100 mph wind gusts are possible as well.
The Lander foothills could experience some blowover sprinkles of rain coming off the mountains today. Southwest winds will continue to blow strongly tonight, with speeds of 30 to 40 mph, and gusts of 50 mph.
The South Pass will see snow today as well, heavy at times, along with considerable blowing and drifting snow, and possible whiteout conditions. South Pass can expect 4 to 8 inches of snow by Saturday morning, and Togwotee Pass could expect as much as 9 to 18 inches of snow by Saturday morning.
After midnight, the cold front will push through the area with winds veering to the north, northeast, Lipson added, at speeds of 15 to 25 mph under partly cloudy skies. A few scattered rain showers turning to snow showers will accompany the front.
The National Weather Service in Riverton also reported that highs will be in the lower 50s and 40s today, with lows tonight in the upper 20s for most areas.