December 17-23 in Area Weather History
temperatures across the area were commonly from 25 below to 35
below zero…with Medicine Bow, WY chilled to 44 degrees below zero!
Dec 18: On this day in 1998 a winter storm brought heavy snow to far southeast
Wyoming. 12 to 18 inches of snow fell over the south Laramie range
before the storm began to ease on the 19th…with 8 to 10 inches over the
adjacent plains. The storm closed both Interstates 25 and 80 along with
most other roads in far southeast Wyoming.
Dec 19: Another very cold arctic airmass spread over the region on this day in 1990.
Temperatures over many areas of the plains plunged 50 to 60 degrees from
their highs on the 18th to readings generally from 15 below to 25 below zero
on the 19th.
when the temperature warmed to 59 degrees. The other two days with a
record high of 59 in Cheyenne are December 31st and January 13th.
Dec 20: One year ago today, in 2006, a powerful low pressure system over southeast
Colorado produced a major blizzard across much of the region. Heavy snow
combined with winds gusting from 40 to 55 mph produced whiteout conditions
and drifts from 5 to 7 feet. Cheyenne recorded it’s all-time greatest daily
snowfall for December with 12.5 inches while a report of 23 inches was
received from near Chugwater. Essentially all roads were closed over the area
and more than 20 tractor-trailer trucks were stranded along Interstate 80 in the
Nebraska panhandle. Sadly, one life was lost due to the storm.
Dec 21: Extremely cold airmasses covered the region on this day in both 1990 and 1983.
Cheyenne set it’s coldest temperatures on record for December on those days
with lows of 28 degrees below zero.
Cheyenne recorded wind gusts to 71 mph and 70 mph on this day in 1992 and
1978, respectively.
Dec 22: The coldest air of the 1989 arctic outbreak was felt on this day. Cheyenne
equaled it’s lowest December temperature on record with a low of 28 degrees
below zero, while Scottsbluff set their coldest December temperature, and 2nd
coldest temperature ever recorded, with a bitterly cold low of 42 degrees below
zero! Scottsbluff also set their lowest daily high temperature on record on this
day in 1989 with a high of only 13 degrees below zero.
Dec 23: On this day in 1987 almost a foot of snow (11.5”) covered Rawlins, WY.
The 1983 arctic air outbreak remained entrenched across the region. Cheyenne
recorded it’s 4th consecutive day in which the temperature remained below zero
while Chadron and Scottsbluff were in their 7th consecutive day. Lows across
the plains were generally from 20 below to 30 below zero for the 4th consecutive
day. Snowfalls were mainly light, however.
The 1989 arctic outbreak finally moved out on this day and much warmer
temperatures returned. Cheyenne saw a 2 day temperature change of 75 degrees
from a low of 28 degrees below zero on the 22nd to a high of 47 on the 23rd.
Scottsbluff recorded an impressive 84 degree temperature change, from a low
of 42 below on the 22nd to a high of 42 on the 23rd.
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