CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Residents in southeast Wyoming woke up to another round of high winds and scattered snow showers Wednesday, with weather conditions expected to remain challenging throughout the day and into Thursday.
The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued high wind warnings for the Arlington/Elk Mountain area along Interstate 80 and the Bordeaux area near I-25, with gusts of up to 60 mph expected. “Winds will be on the increase today, especially in the typical wind-prone areas,” the NWS in Cheyenne stated in its Wednesday morning forecast discussion.
These strong winds are expected to result in areas of blowing and drifting snow, particularly in Carbon and Albany counties, which have received significant snowfall over the past week.
Snow showers are forecast to return to Cheyenne late Wednesday afternoon and continue into early Thursday. Most areas will see “a dusting to an inch or two” of snow, though locally higher amounts of 2–4 inches are expected above 7,500 feet in elevation.
This additional snowfall, combined with windy conditions, will likely keep visibility reduced and road conditions hazardous in parts of southeast Wyoming, including the I-80 corridor.
The region also experienced bitterly cold temperatures early Wednesday morning due to clear skies and radiational cooling. Lows in the Laramie Valley dropped to between minus 15 and minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, with “several locations … 10–15 below the coldest model guidance,” the forecast discussion stated. Temperatures are expected to climb slightly during the day, though they will remain below seasonal averages.
As the next shortwave trough moves into the region, clouds will increase throughout the day Wednesday and another cold airmass will settle in behind the system early Thursday. The NWS in Cheyenne warns that strong northwest winds on Thursday could lead to windchills in the single digits to lower teens, even during the afternoon.
Winter weather advisories for blowing and drifting snow remain in effect along portions of I-80, with additional concerns extending into parts of the High Plains, where snowpack is deeper. The advisory has been extended through 6 a.m. Thursday to account for ongoing blowing snow and the light snowfall expected overnight.
Drivers should be prepared for slick road conditions, blowing snow and periods of reduced visibility through Thursday morning, particularly along wind-prone stretches of I-80 and I-25.
Detailed Forecast for Cheyenne
- Today: It will be sunny, with a high near 37. Windchill values will range between minus 5 and 5. West wind at around 15 mph.
- Tonight: Snow showers are likely, mainly after 11 p.m., with a 40% chance of precipitation. Patchy blowing snow may develop after 2 a.m. Expect mostly cloudy skies, with a low near 19. Northwest winds will be blustery at 15–20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Thursday: A 40% chance of snow showers is expected before 11 a.m. Patchy blowing snow is possible in the morning. Skies will turn mostly sunny, with a high near 24. North-northwest winds will be strong at 20–30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
- Thursday Night: Skies will be mostly clear, with a low around 9. Windchill values will range between minus 5 and 5. West-northwest winds at around 15 mph.
- Friday: Sunny conditions are expected, with a high near 35. West-northwest winds will range between 10 and 15 mph.
- Friday Night: There is a 20% chance of snow showers after 11 p.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy, with a low near 23. Winds will be breezy.
- Saturday: A 40% chance of snow showers is forecast. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 33. Winds will remain breezy.
- Saturday Night: Skies will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny conditions are forecast, with a high near 29.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy skies are expected, with a low around 11.
- Monday: Skies will be mostly sunny, with a high near 29.
- Monday Night: Expect partly cloudy conditions, with a low around 10.
- Tuesday: It will be sunny, with a high near 33.
