JACKSON, Wyo. – One year ago today, a tornado touched down in Teton County, Wyoming leaving a path that was 2.13 miles long and 360 yards wide near Sheep Mountain on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service, the tornado was categorized as an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with wind speeds of up to 128-131 mph. Tornadoes are rated using the Enhanced Fujita scale on a range of 0 to 5, taking into account numerous damage indicators to determine estimated wind speeds.
The storm was reported to have occurred between 4:30 and 5 p.m. at elevations above 9,000 feet.
“…though not the strongest tornado at that elevation in Wyoming (that award goes to the 1987 Teton-Yellowstone Tornado), it was still quite historically rare and significant,” said the U.S. National Weather Service Riverton.
The same storm had toppled a tree in Jackson earlier in the afternoon and later, left wind damage and a path of destruction at Crystal Creek Campground.
Originally the storm was classified as a “supercell thunderstorm,” but following an extensive damage survey, the National Weather Service confirmed in April that the storm was, in fact, a tornado.
Click here to read Buckrail Meteorologist Alan Smith’s extensive report on the storm, which details its path, EF rankings and the science behind it all.
The public can view more information on this event here.
