If you spend any time here in the Cowboy State, chances are high that you’ve experienced a blizzard in Wyoming. It’s likely that you’ve lived through a few doozies, but no winter storm in Wyoming’s recent memory was quite as bad as the deadly storm of 1949. Many of us weren’t alive to remember that horrible winter, but we’ve all heard stories from our parents and grandparents who were there to witness it. Read below to learn more about this incredible Wyoming weather event that made history

On the evening of January 2, 1949, a massive blizzard hit Wyoming, Nebraska and the Dakotas with little warning.
Wyoming PBS/YouTube
This early January storm wasn't predicted to be as bad as it turned out to be, and many people were caught off guard. Unfortunately, the initial storm was just one of many that would pummel the state over the next few months.
The January 2nd storm storm lasted three days and killed nine people in Wyoming. It was a record-setting storm in terms of cold temperatures and snowfall amounts, and the brutal winds made for incredible snow drifts.
Wyoming PBS/YouTube
The last three casualties discovered after the first storm were Mr. and Mrs. Archuleta and their five-year-old daughter, who were found about 3.5 miles from their home in Hillsdale, frozen to death in their car. Most of the others who died froze to death as well; one man had a heart attack.

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Entire towns were snowed in, and all transportation was cut off. 3,300 miles of roads were covered in snow; many people who weren't able to reach their homes in time were trapped in their cars.
Wyoming PBS/YouTube
Because the roads were impassable, towns began to run out of groceries. Ranches were cut off from travel. The U.S. Army sent bulldozers to clear the roads, but as soon as they cleared them, another storm rolled in and covered the roads with fresh snow.
Thousands of cattle froze or starved to death. The U.S. Air Force dropped bales of hay to starving cattle; in some cases at drop-off points, and trucks disbursed the hay to nearby fields.
Wyoming PBS/YouTube
For the 45 days following the initial blizzard, new storms just kept coming. The temperature never climbed above zero during that time, and snowdrifts reached 20 to 30 feet tall. Winds raged at 30 to 80 mph. Entire homes were buried to their roofs; towns completely shut down for weeks.

The storms finally eased off in March, but it would be July until many of the largest snowbanks completely melted. In all, nearly 80 people died across Wyoming, Nebraska and the Dakotas.

Farmers were particularly hit hard by the livestock casualties, and it would be a few years before the ranchers were able to resume normal operations.

What stories do your family tell about the blizzard of 1949? To learn more about the Blizzard of 1949, watch the PBS special, “Storm of the Century: The Blizzard of ’49.” Watch some footage below:

Luckily, most times when a blizzard in Wyoming shuts the state down, people are able to remain safe at home. When we have enough warning, it’s easier to appreciate how the snow just makes everything look magical. Take a look at these 12 Majestic Spots in Wyoming That Look Like The North Pole.

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blizzard in Wyoming

Kim Magaraci | May 27, 2020

How much snowfall does Wyoming get each year?

The answer depends on where you are in the Cowboy State, because in some arid regions, towns may end up with as few as 7 inches of snow each year. In the mountains, the totals are much higher, with some places registering an average of nearly 40 inches of snow each year.

Is Wyoming a good place to visit in the winter?

Wyoming is a wonderful place to visit in the winter - if you love the season. The high desert and Rocky Mountains are known for being windy, snowy, and downright cold. Winter is Wyoming's longest season with snowfall starting in some places as early as September and rarely tapering off until June.

What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Wyoming?

If you enjoy spending time outdoors in brutally cold temperatures, you'll love spending time in Wyoming. The Cowboy State is home to some of the best ski resorts in the country, including Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Snow King Mountain. Our state parks are perfect for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, and there are thousands of miles of snowmobile trails worth exploring in the Snowy Range and around Pinedale.

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