BRIDGER VALLEY — Yes, it’ cold outside, but rather balmy in Bridger Valley in comparison of other parts of the state and nation.

Although temperatures in the Valley hit the zero mark or 5-10 degrees or below recenty before 10 p.m., with the temperature rising to about zero after 10 p.m. south of Fort Bridger. Even though the temperature has gotten BRRR-chilly, the Valley hasn’t been as cold as other parts of the state.

Riverton had recorded a high of -20 last weekend. And then the wind. According to reports Tuesday morning Riverton again posted a -20 degrees and Worland smashed its previous record low by 7 degrees with a 36 below zero, while Buffalo and Gillette saw windchills hit -60. Worland’s -36 Monday morning, the actual temperature, was the coldest ever for the town since record-keeping there began 64 years ago. A bit farther north, Greybull tied its previous record for lowest temperature at minus 28, set in 1998.

According to a delivery truck driver from Rock Springs Tuesday morning, she hit -20 at Church Buttes and as she started dropping into the Valley, the temperature started rising. The SLC weather channels had said Rock Springs would hit -17 Monday night.

Reports in other state included sub-zero temperatures in Omaha, Neb., and many areas across the Great Plains. In addition, the sub-zero temperatures and mounds of snow were slated to cross the country creating massive storms on the Northeast Coast. And, portions of the coast has also been hit by lots of flooding as the wind and rain have also contributed to the weather pattern on the East Coast.

The cold, according to meteorologist Don Day, had affected the central and northeastern part of the state last week with sub-zero temperatures as the Artic air swooped down from Canada. Southwestern Wyoming would be protected. But a change in the air-flow would result in Southwestern Wyoming being hit with the cold.

As for the snow, the Valley area received snow over the weekend, but the snow in Utah has gone on-and-on. SLC weather reported Tuesday over four-feet of snow had been dropped on mountain tops and two or more on lower elevations.

According to Day on Tuesday, he forecasted the weather would be warmer with the day mostly sunny in southwest Wyoming and daylight temperature around 27-30 degrees. But the nights would still hover in the single digits. And the wind would continue to add a wind chill to the temperatures.

Over the mild weather earlier this winter, Day has often told Wyomingites to be patient since historical records show the snow season doesn’t start in earnest until February and March. The weekend’s winter weather should be a promising sign of the snow yet to come. Wednesday added to the snow in the area with snow falling and predictions of more. In fact, a weather warning existed from Wednesday through Thursday morning.