Winter Storm Warning

Oh no, a winter storm warning?

Here’s one of the challenges in beekeeping up in the higher elevations of Wyoming. I’ve seen this type of weather stretch into July, take a breather until August, and then surprise us again.

It only leaves a narrow window for the bees. Just a couple of brood cycles to gear up before the season calls it quits. Everything has to go perfectly because there’s hardly any time to fix issues. That’s why not many swarms make it as feral hives in the wild here.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY 334 PM MDT FRI JUN 11, 2010 WYZ001>020-022>030-121100-… NATRONA COUNTY LOWER ELEVATIONS-NORTH BIG HORN BASIN-…

334 PM MDT FRI JUN 11, 2010…

A MAJOR SNOWSTORM IS EXPECTED TO BRING HEAVY…WET SNOW TO THE EAST SLOPE OF THE WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS TONIGHT THROUGH AT LEAST SATURDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BETWEEN ABOUT 7000 FEET AND 9000 FEET WITH 1 TO 2 FEET ABOVE 9000 FEET. LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 3 FEET ARE POSSIBLE IN FAVORED ELEVATIONS ABOVE 9000 FEET. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 8 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE SALT AND WYOMING RANGES SATURDAY AND POSSIBLY ALONG THE EAST SLOPE OF THE BIGHORN MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHEAST END OF THE ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS.

DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL IS POSSIBLE ALONG THE EAST SLOPE OF THE WIND RIVER MOUNTAINS SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY AND POSSIBLY ALONG THE EAST SLOPE OF THE BIGHORN MOUNTAINS. A MAJOR WARM-UP IS EXPECTED EARLY NEXT WEEK WHICH WILL LEAD TO A RAPID SNOWMELT OF THE NEW EXPECTED SNOWFALL AND THE SNOW STILL ON THE GROUND.

Luckily, I don’t think I’ll be snowed on here. But there might be some fresh snow a mile or so south in the higher elevations.

My concern is the flood potential. My beeyard sits on the second bench above the river. Currently, the river is high and above the first bench but still about two to three feet below the second bench. Fingers crossed my hives stay put and don’t get washed away. It’s going to be a close watch over the next week or so.

Ah, the joys of Wyoming beekeeping. 😉

✨

Cheers, D 🌴🌊