Wyoming Braces For 'Impactful' Winter Weather; Storm And Wind Warnings Issued

A strong winter storm is projected to make travel difficult and reduce visibility in Wyoming as increased levels of snow and high winds are expected to hit the state Friday. Storm and wind warnings for the weekend have been issued across the state.

"A low-pressure system is forecast to develop over the central High Plains. Snow associated with this system will overspread much of the central Rockies in addition to increasingly gusty winds," the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said Thursday. Wyoming, along with Utah and southeastern Idaho, are the states located in the central Rockies.

An "impactful winter weather system comes to western Wyoming Friday evening," the National Weather Service (NWS) in Riverton City tweeted late Thursday. It is expected to impact between Friday night and Saturday evening.

The NWS urged Riverton residents to exercise caution while driving as heavy snowfall will result in slick roads. Afton, Old Faithful, Jackson and Moran Junction are expected to experience up to 8 inches of snow Friday evening.

In the Absarokas, 6-12 inches of snow is expected and 10-14 inches is expected to fall in Salt River and Wyoming Ranges, local outlet Oil City News reported. Snow accumulations as high as 16 inches are expected at Yellowstone National Park during the weekend storm.

In the Cheyenne area, wind gusts of up to 80 mph are possible in several areas.

Officials are expecting heavy snow incidents to continue in the central Rockies through early next week, the WPC noted in its report Thursday. More details about next week's weather are expected in the coming days.

Winter storm warnings effective from 6 p.m. Friday through 9 p.m. Saturday:

• Yellowstone National Park – snow accumulations of up to 16 inches
• Absaroka Mountains – snow accumulations of up to 12 inches
• Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains – snow accumulations of up to 24 inches
• Salt River and Wyoming Ranges – snow accumulations of up to 14 inches

Winter storm watches effective from Friday evening through 9 p.m. Saturday:

• Jackson Hole
• Star Valley

High wind warnings effective from 9 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Saturday:

• Central Carbon County, including Ferris Mountains, Seminoe Mountains, Shirley Mountains, Laramie Valley, Shirley Basin, South Laramie Range and South Laramie Range Foothills
• Upper North Platte River Basin, including Encampment and Saratoga
• North Snowy Range Foothills
• Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County