High impact wind event forecasted for Tuesday and Wednesday

HIGH IMPACT SYSTEM FORECASTED FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

A high wind event, accompanied by possible accumulating snow is forecasted for the middle portion of next week. This event could lead to hazardous travel and high impacts for ranchers and producers.

The timeline begins Monday, where breezy southwest winds along with 60s and 70s are expected to heighten grass fire and wildfire concerns. A cold front is expected Monday night, bringing a mix of rain/snow and northwesterly winds for northeastern Wyoming and portions of the Black Hills Region.

Passing rain/snow showers will continue Tuesday morning, bringing some accumulations to the higher elevations of the Black Hills and northeastern Wyoming. Combined with increasing winds in the afternoon, this could make travel difficult at times with blowing snow and slick roads. Accumulations are expected to be light, for the most part.

Tuesday afternoon and evening, clearing is expected with winds beginning to increase… with gusts over 60 MPH likely from the northwest.

Another round of precipitation is expected Wednesday, along with even higher winds.

There is low confidence of exactly how much rain/snow on Wednesday we could receive out of this second system… and how low in elevation we can expect accumulations… but several inches is well within reason.

There is high confidence, regardless of snow amounts, that a long-term high wind event is likely Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. Gusts over 70 MPH… perhaps pushing 80 will make travel hazardous for high profile vehicles. These high wind events have a history of blowing over semis and high profile vehicles on the Great Plains. In town… loose objects and pieces of building material could become airborne, debris could gather on roadways and highways… use caution as you go about your business.

Should the snow forecast verify… rain/snow would combine with these very high winds. This would lead to downright dangerous travel conditions at times, with patchy blowing and drifting snow dropping visibility and lead to very slick roads. Temperatures will hover in the 30s and 40s during the day, and right near freezing mark for the overnight hours.

Again, there is low confidence in the snow forecast, but high confidence in the wind forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Winds will continue Wednesday evening, with a steady drop in winds as we progress through Thursday. By the weekend we expect warmer and drier conditions.

This is a developing forecast, and updates will be posted as they become available – stay weather aware this next week!