WYDOT Forecasted Road Impacts for Wednesday, Feb 17 [VIDEO]

High pressure will be settled over the state of Wyoming today.  Expect mid and high-level cloudiness, but we will see unseasonably mild and dry conditions throughout the state.  High temperatures today will stay in the 40’s and 50’s, with some lower 60’s possible in the eastern plains.  Winds will start to increase and will become strong to potentially high starting anytime after 5 PM, especially across southeastern Wyoming.  Most locations will see wind gusts between 35 and 50 mph, but there could be some gusting of 50+ mph.  A low pressure system and cool front will move across the region on Thursday.  The main concern with this weather system will be very high winds statewide.  Wind gusts up to or exceeding 65 to 75 mph are expected along I-80 (Nebraska to Rock Springs), I-25 (Colorado to Wheatland), and other adjacent highways, which will create an extreme blow-over risk.  Elsewhere, expect wind gusts between 50 and 65 mph.  Light to scattered snow will also develop throughout the day in western and much of southern Wyoming.  While only small accumulations are expected, the combination of snow and very high winds will create travel concerns, including slick to very icy roadways as well as blowing snow and reduced visibility.  There will be only a small chance for rain and snow elsewhere later in the day and overnight.  Any roads that are still wet after sunset have the potential to freeze and form black ice.