Change in the weather coming – SNOW!
Major storm system could bring snow to high country Labor Day weekend
by National Weather Service
August 28, 2008
A major storm system is poised to affect western and central Wyoming Labor Day weekend.
The first significant storm of the late summer season is expected to affect western and central Wyoming Sunday and Labor Day. The storm system will move into the Pacific Northwest early Sunday and then strengthen as it drops into the northern Great Basin on Labor Day.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected across much of western Wyoming on Sunday. Some of these storms will likely be quite strong and possibly severe with large hail and strong wind gusts. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will also spread east of the divide by Sunday evening and continue overnight.
On Labor Day, the storm system will draw closer to western Wyoming with sharply colder air quickly spreading into the area. Snow levels will likely drop to as low as 8000 feet during the afternoon with some heavy snow possible in the western mountains. A steady rain with possible embedded thunderstorms will prevail east of the divide as a moist northerly flow prevails. Temperatures will be considerably colder on Labor Day with highs only in the 50s and 60s with upper 30s and 40s in the high country. Snow levels will likely drop even further Monday evening to as low as 6500 to 7000 feet across northern Wyoming and 7500 feet in the Wind River Mountains.
Significant snowfall is possible in the western mountains on Labor Day, especially by afternoon and evening. Snowfall amounts are still uncertain at this time, but some of the western mountains over 8000 to 9000 feet could receive 6 to 12 inches of snow with even more above 10000 feet.
Campers, hikers, agricultural interests and other recreational enthusiasts should stay abreast of the latest weather forecasts and be prepared for a major change to colder and wetter weather late in the Labor Day weekend. The potential for significant snowfall does exist for the western mountains above 8000 to 9000 feet on Labor Day, spreading into the Big Horn Mountains Monday night and early Tuesday.
FOR: Yellowstone National Park Absaroka Mountains Cody Foothills North Big Horn Basin Southwest Big Horn Basin Southeast Big Horn Basin Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains Bighorn Mountains West Bighorn Mountains Southeast Northeast Johnson County Southeast Johnson County Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains Jackson Hole Wind River Mountains West Wind River Mountains East Upper Wind River Basin Wind River Basin Lander Foothills Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range Natrona County Lower Elevations Casper Mountain Star Valley Salt River and Wyoming Ranges Upper Green River Basin Foothills Upper Green River Basin South Lincoln County Rock Springs and Green River Flaming Gorge East Sweetwater County
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