It’s Impossible To Forget These 5 Horrific Winter Storms That Have Gone Down In Wyoming History
Living in the Cowboy State means dealing with cold, snow winters every year. Winter in Wyoming is often terrible: the winter of 2016-2017 was one of the worst in recent memory. Still, nothing in the recent past can compare to the brutal blizzards that have gone down as the worst winter storms in Wyoming history. Read about a few of these record-breaking events below:
The Blizzard of 1887 was just one part of an absolutely brutal winter. Cattle herds across the plains were decimated. Spoiled by previously mild winters and picture-perfect summers, ranchers in Wyoming and Montana had overstocked their lands. They were completely ill-prepared for the coming winter. For months, low temperatures, high winds, and record snowfall in Wyoming made it a battle to keep cattle fed. When a huge storm began in January, over an inch of snow fell every single hour for over 16 hours straight. Ranchers had no way to easily access their already fragile herds. The small bits of grass that the cattle had available to them was covered in snow and ice. They had no way to feed. In the end, hundreds of thousands of cows starved to death by the time spring arrived and the pastures were thawed.
The surprising "Siberian Express" storm of 1933 was a system that crossed into the United States after wreaking havoc in Russia. It ended up being one of the worst natural disasters in Wyoming history. The storm was so brutal and cold that it set a low temperature record of -66 F in Yellowstone National Park. The bone-chilling cold was a threat to wildlife, livestock, and Wyomingites. To this day, the cold weather records set during this storm have yet to be broken.
The Blizzard of 1949 is popularly known as the "Storm of the Century." An unexpected massive blizzard hit the West, stranding thousands of travelers in many states. Trains had to be thawed out with blowtorches just to rescue passengers that were inside. Hundreds of people had to walk from their snowed-over cars to local motels to stay warm. Thousands of cattle died. The United States Military brought relief to ranchers in the form of air-dropped hay. Read more about this storm, and watch a fascinating documentary here.
Most blizzards come in strong and head out quickly. Wyomingites may be stunned and left shoveling pathways to move, but they tend to be fairly short-lived experiences. In 1955, though, a blizzard hit Sheridan and stayed for THREE days. Each day dropped over a foot of snow throughout the region. This storm earned its place in history books for its record snowfall in Wyoming. Read more about this brutal blizzard here.
The April blizzard of 1984 is one many Wyomingites remember! Roads were closed for days, and over two feet of snow fell in Campbell County. Hurricane force winds created white-out conditions and massive snow drifts. One rancher actually lost his life walking out to feed his horses. He went outside and never made it back in.
Do you remember any of these historic, brutal storms? There are still plenty of stories about the Blizzard of 1949 to be heard throughout the Cowboy State. We’re certainly hoping for a milder winter in Wyoming this year!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter in Wyoming
September 30, 2021
Lisa Sammons
What are some more natural disasters in Wyoming?
Like all states, we've had our fair share of natural disasters in Wyoming. Landslides, fires, and more have plagued the Cowboy State. The terrible Yellowstone fires of 1988 numbered 250 and killed two civilians and countless wildlife. Check out this list for eight of the most tragic disasters in Wyoming. It also includes some manmade disasters, like the tragic 1955 United Airlines crash that killed all 66 people on board.
What are some good winter activities in Wyoming?
There's so much to do here! Just because it's cold doesn't mean you can't be active and have a good time. We have so many ski resorts and places to snowboard, snowshoe, and ice fish. Of course, there's also plenty of indoor spots that are worth checking out. Here's a list of some inside spots that will let you experience the state while staying warm. From our museums, like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, to our restaurants, there's plenty to do indoors here without missing out!
What is winter in Wyoming like?
Winter in Wyoming can be brutal (as seen by the terrible winter storms above), but it's also quite beautiful. There is nothing like seeing our pristine landscape covered in pure white snow. It looks almost otherworldly. It can almost feel like the North Pole in some places, particularly in our less populated areas. Winter in Wyoming will certainly test your love of the state, but it's also an experience like no other.
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
