A white Christmas

Winter storms deliver cold, snow for Christmas

Crystal R. Albers
Posted 12/27/17

Winter began with a bang last week, as a collection of storms brought frigid temperatures, wind and several inches of snow to the area.

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A white Christmas

Winter storms deliver cold, snow for Christmas

Posted
GOSHEN COUNTY – Winter began with a bang last week, as a collection of storms brought frigid temperatures, wind and several inches of snow to the area.
On Thursday, the official first day of winter, high temperatures plummeted more than 40 degrees and an estimated two to three inches of snow fell in and around Torrington, causing slick roads throughout the county. Friday morning, wind chills were recorded at 19 degrees below zero in the area, according to the National Weather Service
in Cheyenne.
Almost immediately after Thursday’s storm, meteorologists began warning of Saturday’s weather event – expected to bring four to six inches of snow to central Goshen County, as well as the potential for high winds and slick roads. The area was placed under a Winter Weather Watch, and Friday afternoon, NWS advised against travel across southeast Wyoming on Saturday.
As of Saturday evening, Goshen County residents were riding out the last few hours of a Winter Storm Warning, with snowfall totals reported between five and eight inches. Roads in the area remained open, although slick and snow-covered, and wind chills dropped well below zero Saturday night and into Sunday, Christmas Eve.
NWS reported wind chills in Torrington fell to 29 degrees below zero at 6 a.m on Sunday.
Residents took to social media to praise the Goshen County Road and Bridge crew for their work to clear the roads on Christmas Eve in frigid temperatures.
“Cheers to the unsung heros (sic) with Goshen County Road and Bridge,” one resident wrote on Facebook. “Sunday morning, and Christmas Eve. Temps just above zero. Brought the sand truck with a blade, up the icy hill, with steep drop-offs, on Deer Creek Road. If you live in Goshen County and appreciate these folks, please share.”
Another round of snow fell on Christmas Day and into Tuesday, piling an additional several inches on the area. Dangerously low temperatures, poor visibility and icy roads were continued threats during the long holiday weekend.
Throughout the week, high temperatures are expected to remain mostly below freezing,
“If your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, it’s really important you stay with your vehicle,” NWS advised on its Facebook page. “It will likely be your only source of shelter. If you try to walk and abandon your vehicle, you’re likely to get disoriented and freeze. Have (a) winter survival kit in your vehicle, and dress for winter conditions when you’re traveling through southeast
Wyoming.”
For more information, visit www.weather.gov.