Breezy conditions with areas of blowing and drifting snow could impact travel west of Interstate 25 today, the National Weather Service in Cheyenne says.

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24/320AM: Good morning! Your forecast for today and tonight across southeast Wyoming and Nebraska Panhandle calls for decreasing clouds through the day. It will be breezy today west of Interstate 25 with gusts to 30 mph in most locations. These breezy winds will create areas of blowing and drifting snow, that could impact your travel. Strong winds expected tonight in the wind prone areas with High Wind Warnings and Watches in effect. Highs today range from 21 at Harrison to 35 at Cheyenne. Overnight lows will range from 9 at Torrington to 18 at Rawlins.

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What's worse is that 60 to 65 mph wind gusts are expected to return to the wind-prone areas tonight through Saturday night, which means even if crews are able to get Interstate 80 back open this evening, it may be short-lived.

High Wind Watches are in effect from late this evening through Saturday afternoon, which includes I-80 between Elk Mountain and Arlington and between Laramie and Cheyenne.

"Travel will be impacted with fresh snowfall, so expect blowing snow and poor visibility in these areas," the NWS said.

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
127 AM MST Fri Feb 24 2023

WYZ110-242300-
/O.NEW.KCYS.HW.A.0021.230225T0600Z-230226T0000Z/
North Snowy Range Foothills-
Including the cities of Arlington and Elk Mountain
127 AM MST Fri Feb 24 2023

...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH
SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph
  possible. Blowing snow may create visibility reductions to less
  than 1 mile at times.

* WHERE...North Snowy Range Foothills.

* WHEN...From 11PM this evening through 5PM Saturday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Mainly to transportation. Strong cross winds will be
  hazardous to light weight or high profile vehicles, including
  campers and tractor trailers.

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.

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
127 AM MST Fri Feb 24 2023

WYZ116-117-242300-
/O.NEW.KCYS.HW.A.0021.230225T1200Z-230226T0000Z/
South Laramie Range-South Laramie Range Foothills-
Including the cities of Buford, Pumpkin Vine, Vedauwoo, Whitaker,
Federal, and Horse Creek
127 AM MST Fri Feb 24 2023

...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM EARLY SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH
SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
  Blowing snow may create visibility reductions under 1 mile at
  times.

* WHERE...South Laramie Range and South Laramie Range Foothills.

* WHEN...From 5AM Saturday through 5PM Saturday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Mainly to transportation. Strong cross winds will be
  hazardous to light weight or high profile vehicles, including
  campers and tractor trailers.

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 Warning is also in effect from 11 p.m. tonight through 11 p.m. Saturday for the Bordeaux area along Interstate 25.

"Westerly wind gusts to 65 mph expected, along with blowing snow and reduced visibility with these strong winds," the NWS said.

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
127 AM MST Fri Feb 24 2023

WYZ106-242300-
/O.UPG.KCYS.HW.A.0020.230225T0600Z-230226T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KCYS.HW.W.0020.230225T0600Z-230226T0600Z/
Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
Including the city of Bordeaux
127 AM MST Fri Feb 24 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM
MST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.
  Blowing snow may create visibility reductions below 1 mile at
  times.

* WHERE...Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County.

* WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 11 PM MST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Mainly to transportation. Strong cross winds will be
  hazardous to light weight or high profile vehicles, including
  campers and tractor trailers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected
or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 MPH or gusts
of 58 MPH or more can lead to property damage.
weather.gov/cys
weather.gov/cys
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24/215AM: Winds never end! High Wind Warning in effect for the Bordeaux area along Interstate 25 tonight through Saturday night. Westerly wind gusts to 65 mph expected, along with blowing snow and reduced visibility with these strong winds. High Wind Watches in effect along Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie , as well as the Arlington/Elk Mountain area. Travel will be impacted with fresh snowfall, so expect blowing snow and poor visibility in these areas as well. Stay tuned!

The NWS says the Snowy and Sierra Madre Ranges are likely to see snow picking up Sunday and persisting through much of next week, and the wind will pick back up Monday and Tuesday before a cold front moves through Wednesday, bringing another chance of widespread snow to the region.

weather.gov/cys
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24/130AM: Greetings! The upcoming weekend looks pretty good across southeast Wyoming and Nebraska Panhandle weather-wise. Expect warmer temperatures and mainly dry conditions outside the western mountains. Snowy and Sierra Madre Ranges likely to see snow picking up Sunday and persisting through much of next week. Winds look to pick up Monday and Tuesday as a cold front approaches from the west and northwest. Strong winds likely in our wind prone areas that will impact travel for light weight and high profile vehicles. Cold front moves through Wednesday next week for our next chance for snow across all areas. Enjoy the weekend and stay warm!

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