Weather update – More snow on the way for Christmas in Wyoming
December 22, 2016
A winter storm will spread snow across the area Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to the National Weather Service.
A strong Pacific storm system will move into the southwest U.S. Saturday, spreading snow showers into western Wyoming. This system will lift northeast across Colorado into the Northern Plains on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25th. A cold front will drop south across central Wyoming Saturday night spreading snow and gusty north wind across the area through Christmas Day.
At this time, the worst travel impacts are expected along and east of Interstate 25 on Sunday, Christmas Day where moderate to locally heavy snow will combine with areas of north wind 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph to create blowing and drifting snow and poor visibility.
Though snowfall is not expected to be quite as heavy across southwest Wyoming, west wind 25 to 35 mph will likely cause areas of blowing snow and limited visibility along Interstate 80 across Sweetwater County Christmas Day.
Early estimates of snow amounts are for 2 to 4 inches across the lower elevations of western and central Wyoming and 5 to 10 inches in the mountains. Locally higher amounts are likely in upslope favored areas including Lander and Casper. Snow will taper off Christmas evening.
People planning travel on Saturday night and Christmas Day should consider alternate plans in order to avoid delays and possible road closures.
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