Winter storm affecting Southeast Wyoming, road closures in effect

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Interstate 80 between Rawlins and Cheyenne has closed to all traffic due to the ongoing winter storm affecting Wyoming and Colorado.

Due to the nature of the storm, this is expected to be a prolonged closure that will last overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie first closed this morning following a power line fire near Buford. That incident was addressed, but crashes and deteriorating conditions kept the road closed. 

I-80 was then closed between Rawlins and Laramie followed by I-80 eastbound from Rock Springs to Rawlins.

Other roads in Laramie, Albany, and Carbon counties are closed, including U.S. 287/30 west of Laramie and sections of Wyoming Highways 210, 225, 34, and 487.

Heavy snow is expected to continue across the region for the rest of the day Wednesday. Winds will start to pick up today and continue through the day tomorrow.

The snow, combined with strong winds, will create whiteout conditions in some areas as well as large snow drifts.

Early this morning, the National Weather Service in Cheyenne expanded the region’s Blizzard Warning to include Albany County and eastern Carbon County in addition to Laramie County and other eastern Wyoming counties. 

Snowfall forecasts remain at 12-18 inches along the I-80 corridor from about Fort Steele east to the Nebraska state line, including 18-24 inches east of Laramie to the Albany/Laramie county line and a pocket of 24-30 inches near the Summit.

Updated road conditions are available at WYDOT's 511 website.

Updated weather forecasts for Southeast Wyoming visit the National Weather Service's website.

For information about this news release, contact WYDOT District 1 public information specialist Matt Murphy at (307) 745-2142.