Weather Statement For Christmas Issued

Chad Hahn with the National Weather Service's Cheyenne office issued the following weather statement Wednesday afternoon:

Return of wintry weather is expected to impact travel across all counties in southeast Wyoming and the western Nebraska Panhandle on Christmas Day & Christmas Night. Although some uncertainty remains with the event still two days away, the details below highlight the most probable outcome. The information will be refined as the event draws closer.

Highlights:

* Timing: Snow will begin across Carbon County, WY as early Christmas Morning before spreading east into the rest of the southeast Wyoming plains & western Nebraska Panhandle Christmas afternoon and evening.

* Snow Accumulations: See the attached graphic for a more detailed snow accumulation forecast on Friday & Friday Night. Expect generally 3-6" of snow in lower elevations with 4-8" of snow expected across the Laramie Range. The Snowy & Sierra Madre Ranges will see 8-16 inches from this event. Depending upon the speed of the system, locally higher amounts will be possible.

* Winds: Fairly light initially on Christmas morning. However, winds will increase on late Friday and into Friday Night (north/northwest at 15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph). This will produce areas of blowing/drifting snow especially in areas east of the Laramie Range.

* Impacts: Travel will be adversely impacted beginning Christmas afternoon through Christmas night. Some road closures will be possible.

Filed Under: National Weather Service

Categories: Cheyenne News