Park County Endures 80 mph Winds During June 10 Wind Storm

The strongest winds recorded during the state’s High Wind Warning were in Park County, causing traffic accidents, collapsing trees, and cutting power.

The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for most of central and northwestern Wyoming on Thursday, June 10. Winds between 30 to 60 mph were anticipated between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m., including in every part of Park County.

For most of the state, wind speed predictions were accurate. For example, the average wind speed reported in Casper, Buffalo, Thermopolis, and Worland was 55 mph.

Park County definitely got the worst of the wind storm. The highest winds recorded blew through at Dry Creek, on Highway 14 north of Cody, at 84 mph.

The City of Cody didn’t fare much better. Wind speeds of 80 mph were recorded at Yellowstone Regional Airport.

These were – by far – the highest wind speeds recorded in any part of the state during the windstorm.

Evidence of the winds’ destructive power is evident throughout Cody. Streets were covered with leaves and sizeable branches that gave way during the massive wind gusts.

A massive pine tree, planted between Cody Regional Health’s West Park Campus and the Bighorn Basin Cancer Center, didn’t survive the storm. Its trunk, nearly a foot in diameter, was snapped like a toothpick in the force of Cody’s 80+ mph winds.

Collapsed pine tree near Big Horn Basin Cancer Center

Meanwhile, power outages were reported across the city. None were substantial enough for prolonged blackouts, thanks to the rapid response of the City of Cody’s Electric Division.

2021 has already been a year to be blown over by record winds.

The last major wind storm was on February 21-22, 2021. The highest wind speed in Wyoming was once again recorded in Park County. Clark was subjected to gusts of 87 mph.