After a brief lull, dangerous conditions are returning to the Rockies. Here’s exactly where the worst of it is headed and how to stay safe.
A potent winter storm is taking aim at Wyoming and Montana this week, with the National Weather Service forecasting wind gusts of up to 50 mph and snowfall totaling 10 inches or more along stretches of the Rocky Mountains — a sharp return to hazardous conditions after a few days of calm.
Wind speeds will peak at 50 mph in northwestern Wyoming at midnight on Tuesday, May 12, according to the NWS graphical forecast. The rest of the state can expect gusts of 30 to 40 mph.
High-altitude areas of the Rockies will bear the brunt of the storm. While conditions across much of the country remain dry this week, communities tucked along the mountain corridor face a very different picture.
Buffalo, Wyoming: hardest hit
The city of Buffalo, located near Johnson County Airport, is expected to see the most significant snowfall. The storm arrives as early as Monday night, with the NWS warning of mostly cloudy skies, temperatures dipping to around 24°F, and wind gusts reaching 31 mph. A second wave of snow is forecast to return Thursday.
Montana also on alert
Northern Montana faces 40 mph gusts Monday and Tuesday, particularly near the North Dakota border. Along the state’s southern edge near Idaho, wind speeds will hover around 30 mph. While less severe than Wyoming, the combination of wind and cold still poses real risks for travelers and outdoor workers.
How to prepare
Residents and anyone traveling through the affected region are urged to avoid unnecessary trips during peak storm hours. Those who must drive should assemble an emergency travel kit — including water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, a blanket, and a fully charged phone — before heading out. Icy roads and reduced visibility will be the primary hazards throughout the storm’s peak.
While the incoming storm is less intense than last week’s conditions, authorities stress that even a moderate storm can turn dangerous quickly in mountain terrain.
