As Thanksgiving approaches, travelers in Wyoming face potentially hazardous road conditions due to winter weather systems expected to bring snow, icy roads, and colder temperatures, Cowboy State Daily reports.
Meteorologist Don Day warns that these conditions, especially along Interstate 80, could complicate travel plans during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
Two weather systems are forecast to impact Wyoming this week. The first will begin Sunday evening and continue into Monday, bringing snow primarily to western Wyoming. The second system, arriving Tuesday and Wednesday, is expected to spread snow and cold temperatures across central, western, and southern parts of the state, according to Day.
Although the snowfall is not expected to be severe, it will likely create enough accumulation to cause icy roads and black ice, particularly along the I-80 corridor, a key thoroughfare for travelers.
“While these systems don’t appear to be major, they will likely cause travel headaches,” Day said.
Thanksgiving Day itself is expected to be calm but cold in Wyoming, with little chance of snow. However, the colder temperatures are likely to persist through the weekend, potentially making post-holiday travel challenging.
Day also noted that winter weather could disrupt air travel across the United States, particularly in regions like the Rockies, the Pacific Northwest, and California. Travelers flying out of Denver International Airport or Salt Lake City International Airport may encounter delays.
Additionally, airports in the Great Lakes and Midwest, such as Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit, could face significant disruptions due to colder temperatures and snow leading up to Thanksgiving.
“It’s still too early to predict with certainty, but snow over the Northeast could complicate travel further during the holiday weekend,” Day said.
Day advised drivers to avoid traveling during the most dangerous times for winter driving: late afternoon, evening, and early morning when black ice is most likely to form. Daylight hours tend to provide safer conditions, though roads can still be hazardous.
“I tell people this time of year to avoid driving in the dark when black ice risks are highest,” Day explained.
He also emphasized the importance of recognizing personal comfort levels when driving in winter conditions.
“Everyone’s threshold for what they can handle on the roads is different. It’s better to err on the side of caution,” he said.
While Day does not anticipate record-breaking conditions, he noted that this Thanksgiving will likely feature more weather-related disruptions than recent years.
“There’s more weather this year, both before and after the holiday, than we’ve had over the last couple of years,” Day said.
