60 MPH Gusts to Whip Up Snow, Impact Travel in Southeast Wyoming Tonight

Snow combined with winds gusting as high as 60 mph will make travel very difficult to impossible across parts of southeast Wyoming tonight, the National Weather Service in Cheyenne says.

A High Wind Watch is in effect from this evening through late tonight for the wind-prone areas, including Elk Mountain, Arlington, Vedauwoo, and Buford along Interstate 80, and Bordeaux along Interstate 25.

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
247 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

WYZ106-110-116-117-230000-
/O.NEW.KCYS.HW.A.0032.230323T0000Z-230323T1200Z/
Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
North Snowy Range Foothills-South Laramie Range-
South Laramie Range Foothills-
Including the cities of Bordeaux, Arlington, Elk Mountain,
Buford, Pumpkin Vine, Vedauwoo, Whitaker, Federal,
and Horse Creek
247 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH LATE
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph
  possible.

* WHERE...Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County,
  North Snowy Range Foothills, South Laramie Range and South
  Laramie Range Foothills.

* WHEN...From this evening through late tonight.

* IMPACTS...Mainly to transportation. Strong cross winds will be
  hazardous to light weight or high profile vehicles, including
  campers and tractor trailers. Blowing and drifting snow could
  also reduce visibility to below one-mile.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe
location prior to the onset of winds.

A High Wind Watch has been issued for Wednesday night for the wind prone areas of southeast Wyoming, including Arlington/Elk Mountain, Bordeaux, and the South Laramie Range and Foothills. Wind gusts up to 60 MPH are possible. Use caution if traveling with lightweight or high profile vehicles.

Winter Weather Advisories also remain in effect until midnight tonight for northern Carbon County near Muddy Gap and the north Laramie Range, and a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday for the Sierra Madre and Snowy ranges.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
256 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

WYZ103>105-109-111-230000-
/O.CON.KCYS.WW.Y.0020.000000T0000Z-230323T0600Z/
North Laramie Range-Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-
Shirley Basin-Central Carbon County-Southwest Carbon County-
Including the cities of Garrett, Esterbrook, Seminoe Dam,
Medicine Bow, Shirley Basin, Rawlins, and Baggs
256 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches
  above 8000 feet. Total snow accumulations up to 4 inches below
  8000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 55 MPH.

* WHERE...North Laramie Range, Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains,
  Shirley Basin, Central Carbon County, and Southwest Carbon
  County.

* WHEN...Until Midnight Wednesday Night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Blowing snow could
  significantly reduce visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
256 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

WYZ110-113-230000-
/O.CON.KCYS.WW.Y.0020.000000T0000Z-230323T0600Z/
North Snowy Range Foothills-Upper North Platte River Basin-
Including the cities of Arlington, Elk Mountain, Saratoga,
and Encampment
256 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 MPH.

* WHERE...North Snowy Range Foothills and Upper North Platte
  River Basin.

* WHEN...Until Midnight Wednesday Night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Blowing snow could
  significantly reduce visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
256 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

WYZ112-114-230000-
/O.CON.KCYS.WS.W.0008.000000T0000Z-230323T1200Z/
Sierra Madre Range-Snowy Range-
Including the cities of Centennial and Albany
256 AM MDT Wed Mar 22 2023

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT
THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. For the Sierra Madre Range,
  additional snow accumulations of 10 to 16 inches, with higher
  amounts possible above 9000 feet. For the Snowy Range,
  additional snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches. Winds gusting
  as high as 60 MPH.

* WHERE...Sierra Madre Range and Snowy Range.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Blowing
  snow will significantly reduce visibility. Outdoor recreation
  will be hazardous to those caught unprepared for the harsh
  winter conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

21/745PM: More snow is on the way for southeast Wyoming as a second low pressure system moves into the area. Winter Storm Warnings have been posted for the Snowy and Sierra Madre Range where 12-24 inches of additional snowfall is expected to fall. Snow spread into northern Carbon County near Muddy Gap and into the North Laramie Range where Winter Weather Advisories have been posted. An additional hazard with this next round of snow will be strong wind gusts as high as 50-60 mph that could produce areas of blowing snow. Hikers and snowmobilers could easily become disoriented and/or lost from the very poor visibility expected. Be careful out there tonight through Thursday morning.