Season's first winter storm brings snow and 45 mph gusts to I-80 in Wyoming and Colorado's high passes

The season's first winter storm for the ranges crossed by Interstate 80 has brought National Weather Service advisories into Thursday, with snow and strong gusts threatening travel on I-80 in Wyoming and on Colorado's high passes, according to Autoblog on Oct. 14, summarizing National Weather Service advisories.

NWS Cheyenne expanded its advisories overnight to include the interstate. The heaviest totals are forecast in the Snowy Range, at 6 to 12 inches with gusts up to 45 mph. The Sierra Madre Range is expected to see 5 to 9 inches.

The South Laramie Range, including the I-80 summit between Cheyenne and Laramie, and the North Snowy Range Foothills around Arlington and Elk Mountain are forecast to receive 3 to 6 inches, mainly above 7,000 feet, with gusts up to 35 mph. Those advisories run from Wednesday evening to Thursday afternoon, and NWS said travel could be difficult on the interstate segments.

South of the state line, the same storm has put advisories on Colorado's high passes, including Vail Pass on Interstate 70. High-profile and light vehicles face the most risk in crosswinds on wet or snowy pavement.

Drivers should check Wyoming road conditions on WYOroad.info and call 511 for the latest reports before crossing the summit, and expect possible restrictions for high-profile vehicles if winds pick up.