Travel restrictions up throughout Wyoming as holiday snowstorm continues

CASPER, Wyo. — A holiday snowstorm that helped shut down a large portion of Interstate 80 on Thanksgiving is expected to continue today. That’s kept travel restrictions in place for many of the state’s roads.

District 2 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation is reporting that all highways within the district, which includes Natrona County, have slick spots, drifted snow and strong winds. It’s advising no unnecessary travel on Interstate 25 from Glenrock south, and black ice conditions north to Casper. No unnecessary travel also is advised for WYO 59 from Douglas to the Campbell County line; for U.S. 18/20 from Interstate 25 to Lost Springs; and for U.S. 26 from Interstate 25 to Guernsey. Black ice also is reported on WYO 259.

All roads in the state are open as of 6 a.m., except for seasonally closed roads and WYO 28 from Farson to South Pass, according to WYDOT’s road closure site. However, restrictions are in place primarily for light, high profile vehicles on Interstate 80, U.S. 287 and U.S. 30 from Rawlins to Laramie; WYO 34 from Laramie to Wheatland; and WYO 131 in Lander.

Black ice, no unnecessary travel and extreme blow over risks are the primary advisories on Interstates 25 and 80, according to the site.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol reported multiple crashes on Interstate 80 at around 4 p.m. Thursday between Cheyenne and Laramie. By 2 a.m., crews had cleared most of the crashed vehicles. At 6 a.m., WYDOT was not longer reporting the closure. Wyoming Highway Patrol said there were no known serious injuries resulting from the pile up.

A Thanksgiving Day pile-up crash along Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie. (Wyoming Highway Patrol)

More snow is on the way today, particularly for central and southeastern Wyoming. Up to another 2 inches is possible in Casper and Cheyenne, according to the National Weather Service.

Source link