UPDATE 12:00 PM Saturday March 12, 2021

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Winter Storm Warning, for the Cheyenne area to a Blizzard Warning.

Blizzard Warning

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
1151 AM MST Sat Mar 13 2021

...HISTORIC AND CRIPPLING WINTER STORM WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT
ALL OF SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND THE WESTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE THIS
WEEKEND...

...WIDESPREAD BLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPING LATE TONIGHT INTO
EARLY SUNDAY...TRAVEL WILL BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE
OVER MUCH OF THE AREA...

...CONDITIONS UNLIKELY TO IMPROVE UNTIL AT LEAST EARLY MONDAY...

Central Laramie County-East Laramie County-
Including the cities of Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs
1151 AM MST Sat Mar 13 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS
EVENING...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM MST THIS EVENING TO 6 AM
MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Very heavy snow and blowing snow likely. Blizzard
  conditions developing overnight. Total snow accumulations of 15
  to 25 inches, with locally higher amounts in excess of 30 inches
  possible. Wind gusts up to 55 MPH.

* WHERE...Central and eastern Laramie County including the cities
  of Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Monday. Blizzard conditions are most
  likely late tonight through Sunday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Extremely dangerous or impossible travel conditions.
  Whiteout conditions likely in falling and blowing snow. Strong
  winds may cause extensive damage to trees and power lines. Power
  outages are likely. Conditions will be life threatening to those
  caught unprepared.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

 


All of southeast Wyoming is under various winter water warnings to start Saturday (March 13). The Cheyenne and Casper areas are under a Winter Storm Warning. A Blizzard Warning is in effect for the Laramie area, including the Interstate 80 Summit; as well as through Wheatland and Torrington.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne says that we can expect snow to get started and pick up as we move through Saturday afternoon. "There is high confidence of snow accumulations greater than one foot for southeastern Wyoming," The NWS said. A foggy morning already has visibility very low. As the snow and wind pick up, the travel danger will increase.

"Widespread heavy snowfall. Significant snow accumulations across Interstate 25 from Cheyenne to Douglas and Interstate 80 from Arlington to Sidney. Strong wind gusts up to 35-60 MPH possible for all areas Saturday night into Sunday evening. Extreme impacts are expected across most of the region.

 

Possible power outages and hazardous travel conditions. Widespread whiteout conditions with reduced visibility and continuous heavy snowfall. Blizzard conditions possible starting Saturday afternoon into Sunday. Travel could be impossible at times" -NWS Cheyenne

MORE: How to Prepare for Power Outages in Wyoming

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TIMELINE

According to the latest forecast information, snow is expected to increase throughout the day Saturday and be heavy at times, especially into Saturday night into Sunday. Winds are also expected to increase later Saturday. The heavy snow is expected to continue through the day Sunday.

Morning Winter Weather Situation Report from the National Weather Service (March 13, 2021)

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
434 AM MST Sat Mar 13 2021

...HISTORIC WINTER STORM TO IMPACT SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND NEBRASKA
PANHANDLE THIS WEEKEND...

...WINTER STORM WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR MAJORITY OF SOUTHEAST
WYOMING AND NEBRASKA PANHANDLE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

...BLIZZARD WARNINGS GO INTO EFFECT FOR A LARGE SWATH OF THE
REGION OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY...

WYZ103-105-118-119-151200-
/O.CON.KCYS.WS.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210315T1200Z/
North Laramie Range-Shirley Basin-Central Laramie County-
East Laramie County-
Including the cities of Garrett, Medicine Bow, Shirley Basin,
Cheyenne, and Pine Bluffs
434 AM MST Sat Mar 13 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow and considerable blowing snow expected. Total
  snow accumulations of 15 to 34 inches. Lower accumulations
  expected across the lower valleys. Winds gusting as high as 50
  mph.

* WHERE...Most of southeast Wyoming including Interstate 80.

* WHEN...From 11 PM MST Friday to 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Blowing
  snow could significantly reduce visibility and result in
  drifting snow on area roadways. The hazardous conditions will
  impact the morning or evening commute. Power outages are
  possible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Area livestock will be severely impacted if
  not protected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
434 AM MST Sat Mar 13 2021

...HISTORIC WINTER STORM TO IMPACT SOUTHEAST WYOMING AND NEBRASKA
PANHANDLE THIS WEEKEND...

...WINTER STORM WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR MAJORITY OF SOUTHEAST
WYOMING AND NEBRASKA PANHANDLE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

...BLIZZARD WARNINGS GO INTO EFFECT FOR A LARGE SWATH OF THE
REGION OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY...

WYZ106>108-110-115>117-151200-
/O.CON.KCYS.WS.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210314T0600Z/
/O.CON.KCYS.BZ.W.0002.210314T0600Z-210315T1200Z/
Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
East Platte County-Goshen County-North Snowy Range Foothills-
Laramie Valley-South Laramie Range-South Laramie Range Foothills-
Including the cities of Bordeaux, Wheatland, Guernsey,
Torrington, Arlington, Elk Mountain, Bosler, Laramie, Buford,
Pumpkin Vine, Vedauwoo, Whitaker, Federal, and Horse Creek
434 AM MST Sat Mar 13 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS
EVENING...
...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM MST THIS EVENING
TO 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, freezing drizzle changing
  over to heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 8 to
  12 inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an
  inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. For the Blizzard
  Warning, blizzard conditions expected. Total snow
  accumulations of 20 to 29 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60
  mph.

* WHERE...Platte...Goshen...Laramie Range...Laramie Valley and
  extreme southeast Carbon County to include the towns of
  Torrington...Wheatland...Chugwater...Laramie...Arlington...Elk
  Mountain...Buford and Vedauwoo.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 11 PM this evening
  to 11 PM MST Saturday. For the Blizzard Warning, from 11 PM
  MST Saturday to 6 AM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas
  of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Strong
  winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Area livestock will be severely impacted if
  not protected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

 

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