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Peter Moore: A mighty wind blows in Colorado. But it’s worse in Wyoming.

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Peter Moore: A mighty wind blows in Colorado. But it’s worse in Wyoming.


The biggest wind gust in Colorado history blew through Monarch Pass on Feb. 16, 2018, at 148 mph. Not long after that, I moved here, in part to avoid the hurricanes that were pummeling me back East. Now I experience Hurricane Sandy-adjacent conditions while taking mail from my mailbox on random Tuesdays in Fort Collins. 

I liked to think that our National Weather Service would at least give me fair warning for wind events. But now the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder is being dismantled for parts.

(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

That very building got smacked with a 113-mph gust on Dec. 19, two days after Peak 6 at Brekenfridge was hit with a Polar Express clocked at 124 mph. If there had been any snow, I might have been skiing there, caught air off a mogul and landed at Arapahoe Basin.

A cartoon drawing of people hanging from a chairlift that has been blown upside down
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

Little known fact: Colorado’s breezes are actually under the control of the four Greek gods of wind, plus their local representatives. No wonder it’s so breezy here!

A cartoon drawing of a map of Colorado with the Gov. Jared Polis, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, CU football coach Deion Sanders and a wolf characterized as the four winds.
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

Fortunately, electric company officials employ a four-part strategy when dangerous winds threaten. 

Xcel Energy's safety shutdown strategy illustrated in four panels: A light switch, wind, someone flipping the switch off, and a fourth dark panel featuring illuminated eyes waiting for the electricity to come back on.
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

Style-conscious Coloradans are learning to cope. 

A cartoon drawing of wind-influenced hair dos and don'ts, including a bald head as the path of least resistance and a lighted match head as an absolute don't.
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

No one is beyond the reach of wind. Especially not Denver Broncos field-goal kicker Wil Lutz. 

A cartoon drawing of Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz contemplating a field goal when winds are blowing so hard the uprights are leaning. A thought bubble over his head reads "I don't feel good about this."
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

As concerning as our wind situation is, there is one consolation. 

A cartoon drawing of I-25 north, with a green sign reading No matter how bad the wind is in Colorado, it's 10 times worse in Wyoming. Behind that is a Welcome to Wyoming sign, bent over by wind, with the words Road Closed in illuminated lights
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

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Peter Moore is an editor, writer, illustrator, ghostwriter, co-author, radio host, TV guest, speaker, editorial consultant, and journalism lecturer.



In his most recent gig he was interim editor-in-chief of BACKPACKER magazine. Peter…
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March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops

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March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops


Gaining the knowledge to become an outdoorsy type of person isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and the desire to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. Sure, if you grew up in the outdoors, but it’s been a while since you’ve actually been out hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, you may be a little rusty, but you have a leg up on those who haven’t.

If you’re in Wyoming, there’s a good chance that taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have available has crossed your mind, but where to start is the big question. Asking others for help is one way, but there’s sometimes an element of intimidation or embarrassment involved.

If you’re a woman looking for that help and want to avoid the intimidation, you should really check out the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) workshops this summer. It’s held at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois, and everything you need to learn about the outdoors is provided, including food and lodging.

The registration deadline is March 31, meaning you have just a couple of weeks to apply for one or all of the offered workshops.

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There are multiple options available depending on your level of outdoor knowledge.

Basic BOW Workshop: Introductory level camp teaching outdoor survival, basic fly fishing, backpacking, how to shoot, outdoor photography, and more. There will be two of these workshops, June 5-7 and August 7-9. $150

Fly Fishing Beyond BOW Workshop: The focus here is on fly fishing. Learn the basics and then put them to use. This workshop runs July 30 – Aug 2. $150

Backpacking Beyond BOW: This workshop is all about backpacking, hiking, cooking on the trail, adjusting to the trail, and preparing for the trip. You’ll learn how to properly pack your bag, set up camp, and then head out on an overnight trip. July 30 – Aug 2. $150

Become a BOW Instructor: Here’s where you put your years of experience to work by sharing your skills and knowledge with others, helping them learn the tricks and tips of the outdoors.

Not only will these workshops help get you started on a life in the outdoors, but you’re likely going to gain some street cred with your family when you can teach them the skills they’ll need to get out and celebrate a Wyoming lifestyle.

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PHOTOS: Wyoming Outdoor Weekend

16 Types Of Hikes Explained





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Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels

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Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels


The snowpack in the South Laramie Range in southeast Wyoming as of Monday was at three percent of normal, according to the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service.

And while other mountain ranges in southeast Wyoming were not nearly that low in snowpack, they were still well below normal at last report.

The agency posted the following on its website:

February was yet another warm and dry month, continuing the pattern that has dominated our area since last fall. Mountain snowpack remains well below average in southeast Wyoming, especially in the Laramie Range where snowpack is at an all time record low. For the plains, some light snow fell last month, but it was not enough to keep from increasing seasonal snowfall deficits. Cheyenne is off to its 4th least snowy start to the season since records began in the 1880s, and Scottsbluff has received the 2nd least snow since record began in the 1890s. We are now approximately two-thirds of the way through the snow accumulation season, with a little more than one-third to go in March, April, and into early May.

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But the good news is that after a wet 24 hours on Monday night/Tuesday, more snow may be headed our way on Friday.

Cheyenne, Laramie Forecasts

Cheyenne Forecast

Tonight

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday

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Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of rain showers after 11am, mixing with snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Thursday Night

Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

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A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy.

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Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Monday

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy.

Monday Night

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

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Laramie Forecast

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

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Wednesday Night

Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night

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Snow showers. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 31. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.

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Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 39.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Sunday

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Sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

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Monday Night

A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Tuesday

A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy.

2026 WHSAA Wyoming State Wrestling Championship

Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, TSM

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Search and rescue license plates raise $33K at auction for statewide fund

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Search and rescue license plates raise K at auction for statewide fund


WYOMING — New specialty license plates rolled out by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) at the beginning of 2026 raised over $30,000 for Wyoming search and rescue (SAR) organizations in a statewide auction. The auction for the new SAR specialty license plates, hosted by WYDOT, offered residents the opportunity to bid on low-numbered license […]



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