Oct 2013 Storm Takes Out Power in Casper

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Summary | Forecast | Monitoring & Reporting Snowfall | Safety

Snow has tapered off across most of central Wyoming late this evening. Around 30 inches of snow fell in the southern Big Horn Mountains and on Casper mountain. Widespread amounts of 10-15 inches were reported around Casper and Lander. Preliminary snowfall totals can be found here.

Map of snowfall totals from across Wyoming as of
3:00 PM Friday, October 4, 2013.

Many highways and interstates across eastern Wyoming were closed as of late Friday evening. For the most up-to-date Wyoming road condition information, please visit WYDOT's Travel Information Map. Natrona county schools were closed for Friday as tree limbs and branches were down throughout Casper. Power outages have also occurred in Casper. Additionally, many activities have been postponed until Saturday or cancelled entirely. Please check with organizing officials to see if your event is still scheduled.

NWS Text Products and Forecasts

Area Forecast Discussion	Winter Watch / Warning	Special Weather Statement	What Does That Highlight Mean?
Watch//Warning Map	Casper Summary	Shelter Locations	Rain and Snow Reports

Casper Winter Storm Summary (Weather Stats from Casper Airport):

16.2 inches of snow
2.14 inches of liquid (rain & melted snow)
10th biggest snowstorm since records began in 1937
Biggest snowstorm so early in the season (before this storm it was 18.7 inches on 10/16-17/1998)
3rd biggest October snowstorm of all-time.
Record Daily Snowfall of 12.4 inches on Friday, October 4th broke the old record of 3.2 inches in 2005
Record Coldest High Friday, October 4th - The high was only 31 degrees which broke the old record of 37 in 1969
Record Daily Precipitation for Thursday, October 3rd - 1.54 inches (rain & melted snow) which broke the old daily precip record of 1.32" in 1994
Numerous Highways & Interstates were closed
Widespread tree damage & power outages
Already the 4th wettest October on record (2.14" so far - The wettest October is 4.17" in 1994)

**Casper All-Time Biggest Snowstorms**
Snowstorm Date(s)	Snowfall (inches)
12/23-24/1982	31.3
4/18-21/1973	27.9
4/30-5/2/1946	23.2
12/1-2/1982	21.0
5/4-7/1978	18.8
10/16-17/1998	18.7
5/2-4/1950	18.4
4/29-5/2/1973	17.9
4/18-20/1971	17.4
10/3-4/2013	16.2
3/17-19/1954	16.1
11/8-13/1985	16.1
5/10-12/1980	15.7
3/28-30/1977	15.6
11/2-3/1994	15.4
11/7-8/1983	15.3
4/8-10/2013	15.1
4/16-17/2013	15.1
10/19-20/1949	15.0
11/19-21/1979	14.9

The center of low pressure is across central Colorado and this will continue to push moisture west across Wyoming through the remainder of Friday afternoon. Therefore, gusty north wind of 20 to 35 mph and light snow will continue into Friday evening before gradually tapering off from northwest to southeast during the overnight hours. While the heaviest snow has already fallen across many areas, additional accumulations between 3 PM and 9 PM Friday could still reach 1 to 3 inches across the lower elevelations. The best chance for an additional 2 to 4 inches will be in Johnson and Natrona counties and the east slope of the Wind River Range.

Anyone who feels they must travel should make sure to have these items in their car (click here).

The coldest temperatures of the season are expected late tonight as readings bottom out in the upper teens to mid 20s. The sun will shine on Saturday, but with abundant snow cover temperatures will be moderated. Expect high temperatures to only reach the upper 30s to mid 40s. A ridge of high pressure will provide for temperatures to reach highs 45 to 55 on Sunday with the 50s and lower 60s possible by Monday.

The ridge of high pressure will keep conditions dry and warm through Wednesday before the pattern may entirely shift again. In keeping with the theme of this fall, it appears that another storm system could impact the state by the end of next week. Stay tuned for more information on the possibility of another late week storm.

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