Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 238

   Mesoscale Discussion 0238
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0743 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026

   Areas affected...Central to northern Wyoming

   Concerning...Snow Squall 

   Valid 150043Z - 150445Z

   SUMMARY...Rapidly falling temperatures, strong winds, and moderate
   snowfall behind a sharp cold front are yielding brief
   blizzard/snow-squall conditions across north-central Wyoming. These
   conditions may persist and spread into central and eastern Wyoming
   over the next few hours.

   DISCUSSION...Recent radar mosaics show a cold front rapidly pushing
   southward to the west of the Big Horn mountains in north-central WY.
   Surface observations behind the front have reported temperatures
   falling from the low 50s and upper 40s to below freezing within an
   hour. Concurrently, strong low-level cold advection (coupled with
   strong background gradient winds) is yielding frequent post-frontal
   wind gusts of 30-50 mph. This combination of rapidly falling
   temperatures, strong wind gusts, and the development of light to
   moderate snow showers within the frontal zone is yielding periods of
   visibility reductions between 1/2 to 1/4 mile based on regional
   ASOS/AWOS reports and web cams. 

   The cold front is expected to continue pushing south/southeast over
   the next several hours as a cyclone continues to intensify to the
   east over the High Plains. Light to moderate snow showers will also
   spread to the southeast, which may result in a rapid onset of
   flash-freeze conditions and sudden visibility reductions under the
   heavier snow showers across central to east-central WY where
   temperatures are currently above freezing.

   ..Moore.. 03/15/2026

   ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...

   ATTN...WFO...UNR...CYS...BYZ...RIW...

   LAT...LON   45210878 45230814 45140781 43940477 43640444 43270442
               42850457 42630489 42470530 42250587 42190655 42250729
               42480785 42680832 42950870 43320906 44170971 44520984
               44900976 45140936 45210878