A powerful arctic front dropped southward across Wyoming and brought a period of snow and bitterly cold temperatures to much of western and central Wyoming. Ahead of the front, heavy snow fell in portions of western Wyoming with as much as 16 inches of new snow at Jackson Hole Ski Resort. A powerful jet stream approaching 200 knots also accompanied the cold front, bringing snow squalls to much of central Wyoming along with very strong winds. Winds in the higher elevations of the mountains gusted in excess of 80 mph, with an 86 mph gust at Red Canyon. In the lower elevations, Rock Springs had a maximum wind gust of 75 mph with gusts past 55 mph in most counties. The combination of strong wind and snow brought near zero visibility at times, resulting in closure of many major roads, including Interstate 80. This was followed by some of the coldest air in many years in areas East of the Divide. Both the Casper and Riverton airports recorded their all time record lows, with minus 42 F and minus 31 F respectively. Almost all counties recorded temperatures under 20 below zero with many seeing lows under 40 below zero. Wind chills dropped to 30 below to 50 below zero for most areas. The extreme cold resulted in school closures and travel difficulties. Note that all entries give temperature values in degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 11:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures well under 30 below in much of Yellowstone National Park. The lowest temperatures recorded was 45 below zero at Grant Village with the lowest wind chill of 53 below zero at Lake Yellowstone.

Winter Storm in SOUTH LINCOLN COUNTY, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 07:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A combination of a period of heavy snow and winds gusting as high as 51 mph brought almost impossible travel conditions for a time.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in ROCK SPRINGS & GREEN RIVER, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 20:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind chill temperatures fell as low as minus 40 in Green River, with low temperatures as low as minus 20.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Dangerously cold wind chill temperatures occurred in the Absarokas. The coldest wind chill temperatures recorded was minus 61 along Chief Joseph Highway on the evening on December 21st.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CODY FOOTHILLS, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Dangerously cold temperatures occurred throughout the Cody Foothills. Wind chills dropped as low as 60 below zero in Cody and minus 50 at the Cody airport on the night of December 21st and 22nd. A period of heavy snow and strong wind followed the Arctic Front Passage resulting in near impossible travel conditions.

Winter Storm in ROCK SPRINGS & GREEN RIVER, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 10:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An Arctic Front dropping southward brought snow squalls to much of Sweetwater County.  A period of heavy snow accompanied by wind gusting as high as 56 mph brought near zero visibility along with the closure of Interstate 80.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in NORTH BIG HORN BASIN, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills occurred in the Northern Big Horn Basin. The coldest wind chill temperatures recorded were minus 58 at the Powell Airport and minus 55 at the Greybull airport. The towns of Cowley, Basin and Greybull saw low temperatures fall to 35 below zero. A period of snow with winds as high as 64 mph accompanied the passage of the Arctic Front bringing nearly impossible travel conditions.

Winter Storm in EAST SWEETWATER COUNTY, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 10:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An Arctic Front dropping southward brought snow squalls to much of Sweetwater County.  Very strong wind accompanied the snow squalls with a maximum wind gust of 75 mph reported at the Sweetwater County airport. Wind gusts over 50 mph were reported along Interstate 80 to the Carbon County line. The result was nearly impossible travel with most of Interstate 80 being closed for over a day.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SOUTHWEST BIG HORN BASIN, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Bitterly cold wind chill temperatures occurred in the southwestern Bighorn Basin. Kirby was the cold spot with a low temperature of 39 below zero and a wind chill temperature of 48 below zero.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SOUTHEAST BIG HORN BASIN, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chill temperatures occurred in the southeast Big Horn Basin. The low temperature of minus 41 was the 6th coldest temperature ever recorded at the site. The wind chill temperature at the airport dropped to 60 below zero. The Arctic Front was accompanied by a period of snow and wind gusts over 50 mph that brought travel to a standstill for a time.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in EAST SWEETWATER COUNTY, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Bitterly cold temperatures occurred in Eastern Sweetwater County, especially eastern portions of the zone. Low temperatures fell as low as minus 31. The lowest wind chill temperature recorded was minus 52 at Point of Rocks with minus 49 at Continental Divide.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in FLAMING GORGE, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind chill temperatures fell as low as 40 below zero.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in OWL CREEK & BRIDGER MOUNTAINS, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures fell as low as 29 below zero with a wind chill down to 50 below zero 10 miles south of Meeteetse.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BIGHORN MOUNTAINS WEST, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extremely cold temperatures occurred in the western Bighorn Range. Temperatures dropped as low as 44 below zero with wind chill temperatures as low as 64 below zero at a WYDOT weather sensor east of Ten Sleep.

Winter Storm in FLAMING GORGE, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 10:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

An Arctic Front dropping southward brought snow squalls to much of Sweetwater County.  Very strong wind accompanied the snow squalls. The result was nearly impossible travel with state and local highways closed for over a day.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in TETON & GROS VENTRE MOUNTAINS, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 21:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Five weather sensors in the high terrain across the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains recorded wind chills under 40 below zero. The coldest recorded wind chill was 50 below around 7am MST on Dec 22.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BIGHORN MOUNTAINS SOUTHEAST, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures fell as low as minus 38 in the southeastern Bighorn Mountains with wind chill temperatures as low as 56 below zero to the southwest of Barnum.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in NORTHEAST JOHNSON COUNTY, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind chill temperatures under 50 below zero occurred in several locations, including 55 at the Johnson County airport and 57 below near Story.  The lowest air temperature recorded was minus 38 degrees.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 21:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Jackson Hole Airport ASOS recorded a wind chill of 41 below around 8am MST on Dec 22.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in UPPER GREEN RIVER BASIN FOOTHILLS, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 21:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

In the foothills near Daniel WY, a weather sensor recorded a wind chill of 42 below around 8am MST on Dec 22.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SOUTHEAST JOHNSON COUNTY, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Extremely cold temperatures occurred in southern Johnson County. A low of minus 43 was reported southwest of Kaycee with minus 39 reported in town. Wind chill temperatures fell as low as minus 55 along Interstate 25 to the north of Kaycee.

Winter Storm in TETON & GROS VENTRE MOUNTAINS, WYOMING
From 20-DEC-22 06:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Over a foot of snow fell in portions of the Tetons, with a maximum of 16 inches at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort. High winds in excess of 60 mph also accompanied the snow in the high terrain.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in UPPER GREEN RIVER BASIN, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 21:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A weather sensor in the town of Daniel WY recorded a wind chill of 43 below zero around 7am MST on Dec 22.

Winter Storm in JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
From 20-DEC-22 05:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts in the Jackson Valley ranged from 3 to 10 inches. The snow was accompanied by wind gusts as high as 68 mph at the Jackson Hole Airport which led to almost impossible travel conditions.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS WEST, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 23:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind chill temperatures fell as low as minus 39 in the western Wind River Mountains.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS EAST, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 23:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind chill temperatures fell as low as 48 below near in Sinks Canyon State Park with air temperatures as low as minus 29. Strong wind occurred following the Arctic Front passage with wind gusts as high as 86 mph at Red Canyon along South Pass. The wind plus accompanying wind brought very difficult travel conditions including the closure of Wyoming State Route 28 over South Pass.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in UPPER WIND RIVER BASIN, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 11:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

There were widespread reports of low temperatures below 30 below, including minus 33 at the Dubois airport and minus 38 to the southeast of Dubois. The Arctic Front was accompanied by wind gusts as high as 64 mph and a period of heavy snow that brought travel to a stand still.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in WIND RIVER BASIN, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 11:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An all time low temperature occurred at the Riverton Airport, with a low of minus 31. In the city of Riverton, cold air pooled and brought low temperatures as low as minus 43 in town. Wind chill temperatures dropped as low as minus 58 at Pavillion. The Arctic Front was accompanied by a period of heavy snow and wind gusting as high as 59 mph that brought near zero visibility and almost impossible travel conditons.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in LANDER FOOTHILLS, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 11:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A wind chill temperature of minus 48 occurred at the Lander airport with some areas as low as 54 below zero.  An air temperature of minus 47 occurred to in Lyons Valley with Hudson falling to minus 42 and minus 32 at the Lander Airport. A period of snow with wind gusts as high as 54 mph brought extremely difficult travel conditions for a time.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in GREEN MOUNTAINS & RATTLESNAKE RANGE, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 11:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Bitterly cold weather occurred in the Green and Rattlesnake Mountains. Jeffrey City recorded a low temperature of minus 39 with a wind chill temperature of minus 51. Wind gusts as high as 65 mph and a period of heavy snow occurred with the frontal passage that brought the closure of Highway 287 for a couple of days.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in NATRONA COUNTY LOWER ELEVATIONS, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 11:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme cold occurred throughout Natrona County. The low temperature at the Natrona County Airport fell to minus 42, which is an all time low record. The wind chill temperatures fell to 61 below zero. A period of heavy snow with Arctic Front was accompanied by wind gusts as high as 71 mph that brought travel to a standstill.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CASPER MOUNTAIN, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 11:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Bitterly cold temperatures occurred on Casper Mountain with wind chill temperatures as low as minus 55 and air temperatures as low as minus 35.

Winter Storm in STAR VALLEY, WYOMING
From 21-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Anywhere from 3 to 12 inches of snow fell in the Star Valley, with the maximum amounts in the foothills. The snow was accompanied by winds as strong as 52 mph that made travel extremely difficult.

Winter Storm in SALT RIVER & WYOMING RANGES, WYOMING
From 20-DEC-22 20:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

At Commissary Ridge, 13 inches of new snow was measured.