Cheyenne, WY – Wind gusts up to 80 mph are roaring across southeast Wyoming this afternoon, threatening to shut down stretches of Interstate 80 and Interstate 25 and putting high-profile vehicles at risk of blow-overs within minutes.
According to the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, a High Wind Warning remains in effect across much of southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle. Gusts between 65 and 80 mph are expected through at least 9 p.m. Wednesday for many areas, with the strongest winds continuing along the I-80 Summit, Bordeaux along I-25, and the Arlington and Elk Mountain corridors until 11 a.m. Thursday. Cheyenne remains under warning until 8 a.m. Thursday.
The most dangerous crosswinds will target the I-80 Summit between Cheyenne and Laramie, the Bordeaux stretch between Chugwater and Wheatland, and open areas of Carbon County near Rawlins and Medicine Bow. Wind-prone zones near Arlington and Elk Mountain could see gusts peak near 75 mph. In the Nebraska Panhandle, including Kimball, Sidney and Scottsbluff, gusts up to 65 mph will continue until 5 p.m.
Lightweight and high-profile vehicles, including semitrailers and campers, face the highest risk. Drivers should delay travel if possible, reduce speed and keep both hands on the wheel. A brief lull is possible Wednesday evening before stronger gusts redevelop overnight in wind corridors.
Warnings remain in effect through Thursday morning in several zones, and additional restrictions or closures are possible if gusts intensify.
