TORRINTON – A couple different rounds of winter weather are heading to Goshen County. These systems will be bringing colder temperatures to the valley with little to no snow accumulation. 

“The first round is going to be very late Thursday into early Friday morning,” National Weather Service Meteorologist, Jared Allen said. “[We are] really not anticipating much across far southeast Wyoming, especially in the Goshen County and Torrington area. You’re probably going to see a flake or two and maybe upwards of a 1/10th of an inch so we really aren’t anticipating too much of an impact for the late Thursday and into Friday timeframe.” 

The temperatures are going to be dropping drastically throughout the area. 

“We’re going to start to be really cold going into that period as well. We have been very much above normal, 10 to 15 degrees above normal temperatures, over the last week or so. The highs Thursday will be dipping down into the upper 40s and then on Friday, the high will be low 40s. For low temperatures, Thursday night and early Friday morning, we are getting down to 17 degrees in Torrington.” 

Late Friday night brings the second round of weather to the area. 

“The second round will begin extremely late Friday night and even more so very early Saturday morning and through the day Saturday. That one is going to be a little bit more across Goshen County and the Torrington area, but not too bad. We are only looking at an inch or two maybe, max at this particular point,” Allen said. “Further south of Torrington, towards Yoder, Hawk Springs and LaGrange we might see a little more in the upwards of two inches.”

Torrington is currently forecasted for an inch of snow with the Friday night and Saturday morning storm. 

“A little bit further north, towards Lusk, we have a little less forecasted at about a half inch,” Allen said. “Overall travel concerns are not to significant with either round of snow. Certainly, be more prepared for the cold temperatures that are coming.” 

Temperatures will be dropping drastically in the area. 

“Sunday morning, we will be looking at lows in the Torrington area around 13 degrees and Monday morning. We have temperatures around 13 degrees, but the real feel temperature will be potentially in the single digits briefly around 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.” Allen said, “We will warm up pretty quickly but that morning, but for the kids going on the school bus or waiting outside, definitely have them bundled up with some single digit lows and the real feel temperatures out there Monday morning.”

It isn’t too early to be a prepared traveler in the area.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne issued a “Winter Preparedness Checklist” earlier this week that outlines some great winter weather tips that includes automotive and home winterization tips as well as car winter survival. 

“We essentially call this the ‘Prepare, Pack and Plan’ as we go into winter,” Allen said. “If you have a vehicle, this week was great to check your antifreeze levels, your battery and ignition system, and make sure that your fuel and air systems are good, and you have topped off fuel. Again, this isn’t going to be a bad winter system coming in so fuel shouldn’t be too big of a deal. Just make sure your headlights and hazard lights are all fully operational and you have good windshield wipers. It doesn’t hurt to be topped off on your fluids in case you need to clear frozen precipitation from your windshield.” 

Traveling through the area during the winter months can be dangerous and unpredictable. 

“It’s always really great to have an emergency vehicle supply kit. That certainly includes a cell phone charger, a first aid kit and it’s always great to have jumper cables. Make sure your car has a spare tire just in case and if you need any traction components, sand or kitty litter are always good. We are not anticipating anybody, especially in the North Platte Valley getting stuck from any snow this go’round but if you are ever stuck later into the winter then sand or kitty litter are really good to put around your tires to get you unstuck. Extra blankets, a winter jackets and extra layer just in case. Flashlights. Any type of little quick snack is always good just in case you happen to get stuck for a little bit.”

“The National Weather Service recommends staying up with the latest at Weather.gov/cheyenne and be sure to check Nebraska 511 or if you’re staying in Wyoming, wyoroad.info for the latest road conditions,” Allen said.