(Fremont County, WY) – The National Weather Service in Riverton has issued a High Wind Warning for many areas in Fremont County, effective Wednesday, December 17, with some areas experiencing high winds starting today, Tuesday, and into tonight.
For the Lander, Riverton, and Shoshoni areas, the NWSR says to expect west winds blowing at 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, and that stronger winds up to 70 mph are possible around the Lander Foothills. The advisory is from 8 AM to 5 PM.
For the Dubois and Upper Wind River Basin areas, west winds will blow at 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph expected. The NWSR added that snow is possible starting Wednesday morning in these areas, continuing into the evening. Accumulations around Dubois will be around half an inch to an inch. The advisory for these areas is in effect from 8 AM to 11 PM.
For the Jeffrey City area, southwest winds blowing at 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph, are expected. This advisory is in effect from 1 AM to 11 PM.
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” the NWSR also advised. “Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”
The NWSR also provided the following video briefing, which includes additional details/timelines.
Additionally, the NWSR has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Wind River Mountains from 1 AM to 11 PM on Wednesday.
The Warning states that heavy snow is expected, with accumulations of 6 to 12 inches above 8000 feet possible, and amounts greater than 16 inches at the highest elevations. This is in addition to the widespread westerly winds gusting 50 to 70 mph, with isolated stronger winds.
“Areas of winds near 80 mph possible, especially for eastern mountain slopes, like the eastern Absaroka and Wind River Mountains,” the NWR also shares. “The heaviest snow occurs between about 5 AM and noon MST Wednesday, where snow rates will exceed 1 inch an hour, and possibly 2 inches an hour.”
The NWSR advises that during this time, travel will likely be very difficult, especially along mountain passes like Teton, Togwotee, and South Pass, due to a combination of strong winds and falling snow, and reduced visibility.
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.