Wyoming Breezes

October 12, 2023 photo "borrowed" online from Downtown Laramie Alliance As predicted, Thursday/Friday's storm dropped about three inches of snow on the area, and by Saturday it had all melted because the ground and streets were so warm. Even with that, Interstate 80 was closed for winter conditions Thursday night. It seems like people forget how to drive in snow/ice, and it takes them a while to remember.  It's pretty typical for this area to have a mid-October snow storm and then another around Halloween. I'm thrilled that this storm was here and gone in a couple of days.

Laramie, WY March 6, 2022 On Friday, the ground was bare thanks to Chinook winds and warmer temperatures last week; however, Friday night and most of the day Saturday, the snow fell. What's unusual about this scene is the snow on the tree boughs and the lilac bush branches. The winter wind blows a LOT in Laramie, and typically, the trees shake off their snow coverings. I love seeing this unusual winter scene outside my patio doors. 

puzzle progress December 2021 This is the second puzzle I’ve worked on since mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve day. It’s been snowing on and off since then — perfect puzzle weather. Marilyn gave me this puzzle (and several others) this summer.  puzzle completed in two days This one is a collage of vintage ice cream treats, many of which I’ve never seen or even tried, but a few favorites, too.  I’ve never heard of these ice cream cake rolls  Creamsicles are by far my favorite ice cream treats. What’s your favorite? 

Snowman in Depot Park Laramie, WY  March 2021 It took several days for Laramie to dig out from the blizzard (winter storm Xylia ) that hit last weekend. Snowblowers and heavy equipment were the workhorses after the storm. Some people moved snow with shovels, but it was hard work lifting the heavy, wind-packed snow.  Grand Villa walks cleared with snowblowers March 2021 The grounds crew at Grand Villa typically clear the sidewalks and driveways with a small John Deere and blade, but the aftermath of Xylia was too much for the little tractor. Heavy duty snowblowers were brought in to cut through the drifts, and heavy equipment cleared and piled the parking lot snow.  I was relieved that I didn't have to deal with the removal of the snow. 

preparing for a power outage March 2021 Early last week, meteorologists predicted a massive snowstorm would hit the area over the weekend. They warned it would be slow moving and would have the potential to become a historic storm with accumulations measured in feet, not inches.  Blizzard warnings were issued in conjunction with this storm, so I began to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  I have a stocked pantry, so I did not need to shop for provisions. I got the oil lanterns out of storage, found candles and flashlights and batteries in the closet, and retrieved a portable propane heater from the garage. Snow began on Saturday evening and continued through Sunday. The wind howled all night, and all day on Sunday. It's impossible to determine how much snow fell because of drifting, but unofficial reports on Sunday afternoon, stated Laramie had received 18-20", and it is still snowing as I write this. Thankfully, the electricity stayed on and I didn’t need to use th...

The weather man (Don Day) has predicted a winter weather system will hit this area tonight and all day tomorrow. In a recent interview , Day recalled that Laramie got hit by a fluke snowstorm this year on June 8. That storm dumped 10 inches on the community . “Laramie will only go 90 days between snowstorms this year,” he said. “Talk about a short growing season. This is truly 2020.” Check out the temperature differences between today and tomorrow. It will be a good day to make a pot of soup and curl up with my knitting or a good book.  Laramie could receive 4 - 8 inches of snow. I just hope the trees can survive another onslaught of heavy, wet snow.  One good thing about this storm system - it should end the fire season for several Rocky Mountain states. 

Cinde P. plans a Fiber Retreat at Togwotee Lodge twice a year when the Lodge is officially closed (between seasons) in November and April. This year's November retreat was Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I considered going to the retreat in the past, but life always seemed to get in the way. Sue asked me a couple of weeks ago if I wanted to go with her for just the day - Saturday. I agreed. WYDOT webcam of Togwotee Pass Friday, November 4, 2017 Then Thursday it began to snow in the mountains, it continued to snow on Friday, and on Saturday, the snow was still falling.  The roads looked pretty dicey on the WYDOT webcams and. . . Togwotee Mountain Lodge webcam Thursday, November 3, 2017 the webcam at the Lodge didn't look any better.  I've lived in Wyoming nearly all my life and have driven in some nasty conditions during the winter, so I tend to avoid being out on the roads when they look like this. The weather report for Saturday predicted even more snow on th...

Before February 22, 2017 finally down to "practically" bare pavement On Wednesday, February 22 I was thrilled that nearly all the ice and snow had melted on my street and from the parking lots around town: I was clearly getting a case of Spring Fever. As this  earlier post illustrates, my street was covered with a thick sheet of packed snow and ice since the Christmas Day and two successive January Storms. The warmer temperatures in mid-February prompted melting snow and premature flooding through the valley along the Wind River . . . locally, the small town of Hudson took the brunt of the melting snowpack from the sustained chinook winds in the Sinks Canyon area - February 2017 and eventually on the Big Horn river further north. massive ice jam on the Big Horn River Worland, WY February 11, 2017 No one expected flooding in February! The premature thaw was brought under control by Mother Nature when the temperature dropped below freezing at night....

Sixteen inches of fluffy snow from two storms taken January 2, 2017 Winter has been busy in central Wyoming - three back to back storms have dumped large quantities of the white stuff: 29 inches since Christmas Day. The latest storm dropped 9 - 10 inches, a record amount of snow for January. Typically, the snowiest month is March, so there is more to come. taken January 23, 2017 Winter's work kept me busy - shoveling and shoveling. taken January 24, 2017 I hated to leave the piles in the street, but I needed to clear a path to get out of my driveway.  street looking toward my house taken January 24, 2017 Riverton is a small town (10,000 population) and has a small snow removal budget. The city plows the main streets in town, but leaves the neighborhoods to fend for themselves. Needless to say, I didn't venture out much a couple of days after the storms. A seventeen hour power outage (January 7, 2017 - January 8, 2017) in-between storms made life eve...