Southern Wyoming, Western Nebraska - Feb 21-24

Significant Snowfall Event Coming.
High winds while waiting.
Avoid Wyoming if possible mid and late week. Expect long-term closures and chain requirements.



Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
553 AM MST Tue Feb 21 2017

WYZ101>119-221300-
Converse County Lower Elevations-Niobrara County-
North Laramie Range-Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-
Shirley Basin-Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
East Platte County-Goshen County-Central Carbon County-
North Snowy Range Foothills-Southwest Carbon County-
Sierra Madre Range-Upper North Platte River Basin-Snowy Range-
Laramie Valley-South Laramie Range-South Laramie Range Foothills-
Central Laramie County-East Laramie County-
553 AM MST Tue Feb 21 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of east central
Wyoming...south central Wyoming and southeast Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

Strong westerly winds with gusts between 55 to 65 MPH will
continue today across most of southeast Wyoming before diminishing
early this evening. High Wind Warnings remain in effect for most
of southeast Wyoming. Can not rule out gusts around 70 MPH along
and east of the Interstate 25 corridor.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

Widespread accumulating snow with gusty winds is expected
beginning Wednesday night and possibly continuing through early
Friday. There is increasing confidence that significant snow
accumulations will occur across a good portion of southeast
Wyoming. Significant travel impacts are expected Thursday and
Friday.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotter activation will not be required at this time.

$$

 

Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
...
335 AM MST Tue Feb 21 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM WILL LIKELY IMPACT THE REGION FROM
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

A significant winter storm is now looking very likely to impact a
large part of southeast Wyoming and the western Nebraska Panhandle
from late Wednesday night through Friday morning. This storm will
bring an abrupt end to the recent warmth, with widespread
significant snowfall accumulations possible. The strength and
location of the storm remain uncertain, and this will play a major
role in the exact placement of the heaviest snow. However, overall
confidence is rapidly increasing that portions of the area will
see very heavy snowfall with widespread amounts of 6 to 12 inches
possible for the lower elevations. In addition to the snow, north
to northeast winds of 15 to 20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH could lead
to low visibility in falling and blowing snow on Thursday. This
storm has the potential to significantly impact travel across much
of the region. Winter Storm Watches will likely be required by
this afternoon as details on the specific location of heavier snow
become better refined. Stay tuned for additional details.

$$

CLH/TJT

 

Yes. I see all the Closed to Light, high-Profile Vehicles postings. Do you have the text/email update alerts configured? You can configure it for instant notification of closures and openings ONLY [and the preferred interstates] if you desire

 

Wednesday night thru Thursday night estimations ..

4 Plus Inches Accumulation Probability


8 Plus Inches Accumulation Probability

With Wyoming winds, anything that puts down 4+ inches of snow is going to make for very difficult travel. 8+ inches? Forget it.

 

Models are trending to push the worst of this system a bit further north. For east bound travel leaving SLC area around Wed/Thu, possibly running across US-6/I-70/Vail may be a workable solution, however Nebraska will not be a walk in the park once you get back to 80. For WB travel and leaving North Platte most anytime mid-late week, I'd take my chances across Vail/Price because getting across WY and western NE without significant delays looks impossible at this point given current forecast models.

Also note that slight chances for 8+ inch accumulation are being forecasted into the IA/SD and southern MN region for the Friday-Saturday timeframe as the upper level disturbance progresses northeastward.

Make your own decisions with forecast tools that are available and your timing through the region, but consider yourselves warned.
http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/wwd/winter_wx.shtml

 

This is todays 24 hours accumulation forecast (4 inch probability) map. Tomorrow's gets worst (for 80 travel)
If it were my guy and he can depart SLC Wed morning heading east, I'd run him across 70 and tell him don't dilly-dally around. western Colorado will have a few issues but I doubt it will be anything that can't be dealt with. SW and southern Wyoming on the other hand will likely close from this afternoon or evening, for a significant time, perhaps days.

Parley's summit will be chain controlled probably at some point this morning or mid day Wednesday (today) on through this afternoon it looks like ......

 

Also, when he leaves SLC, if he can get over Parleys OK and he feels like he can stay ahead of the system that is entering the SLC valley area now (04:00 2/22), he may be able to run across 80 if his hours will let him run on past Cheyenne before his break. And hopefully he can break and continue east before it catches him.

At this point in the SLC area and heading east, hours matter and make a difference, as well as their HOS hours coming up next few days. If they run out of hours this afternoon or tomorrow across WY, they are screwed.

The cold air settled into and through Wyoming overnight into Wednesday morning. And now the moisture is headed into the region. Standby.