Veterans, I need your help in regards to Wyoming, wind speeds and DOT saying shut it down

maybe this will help - see image

 

Is that an image of a polar bear in a snow storm?

 

Wind speed chart by drreid1958 posted Aug 17, 2019 at 4:32 PM

 

Fortunately I don't do WY. My lane is Woodland CA to Twin and Idaho Falls ID. But there are a couple of areas where pop up side gusts get kind of blowy.

 

As long as the gates are up , I run. Slow down you bet, I feel more vulnerable parked than moving. Its your own call till they drop the gates then you stop for sure. They get real grumpy if you go around them.

 

The way Wyoming manages the road wind/snow hazard is pretty easy but it's also not what most people are used to.

Wyoming DoT leaves it to the drivers personal responsibility to make the determination as to what is safe.

They just tell you the conditions and make a recommendation (hence the vague definition of a high profile vehicle) and let you figure it out.

 

I parked in that medium rest area on top one night for a few minutes then pulled on out as I was afraid it was going to lay me over sitting still.
I also parked in Nebraska one night, my wife had already called and ask how things was as she was watching the news, and knew I had a light load on. It was right after the movie, twister had come out, so I just told her I had debri. lol
It was literally blowing parked cars out of their driveways in the town I was going through. I barely got stopped before I decide to go on, as it was tipping me pretty hard.

 

Same way with the chain law, which I like, but if you block the road with no chains on, I hear the fine gets up there.

 

Ok so... I run i80 through WY nearly every week, twice a week, all year round.

Use this web site for the beat up-to-date info for WY travel conditions. You can click on the different districts on the map at the top for eaches info.

WYDOT Travel Information Service (Cheyenne)

If you have a radio that gets the WX band tune it in when you start getting close to Wyoming... They broadcast weather on a loop that is updated every hour... In the windy season they also broadcast wind speeds for i80 and i25 by mile marker. Just scan through the channels (there are only 7) and which ever one is the clearest is the one you want to listen to... And the channel you want to listen to will change as you cross the state.

WY DOT does NOT define what a "light vehicle" is... Basically if you get blown over and the light vehicle advisory was on, you were to light no matter how much you weigh.

If they shut the interatate down completely they will turn on the flashing lights and lower the arms across the road at an exit ramp for you to get off. They do not close the interstate to just semis... If they close it it is closed to all vehicles.

40 mph winds is a breeze in WY during the winter... 50 mph is windy... 60 mph is getting pretty sketchy... 70+ mph you would be a fool to even try to drive in.

WY is an excellent place to learn to read the terrain and how it can effect the wind... But it is NOT a forgiving teacher.

My rule of thumb:

40 mph wind = 25,000+ in the box
50 mph wind = 35,000+ in the box
60 mph wind = 76,000+ gross weight, maybe park
70 mph wind = park

When drivimg in high winds it is imperative that you SLOW DOWN, keep both hands on the wheel, be ready to counter steer gently, if the wind starts to lift tires off the ground you MAY have to turn the nose of the truck away from the wind and take the ditch to keep from being blown over.

First and foremost, if you are not comfortable... PARK IT ASAP!!!

THIS POST IS GIVEN STRICTLY FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCES, AND I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY RESULT FROM ITS USE OR MISUSE.