Subzero Wind Chills, Snow Squalls Hit Laramie and Cheyenne This Week

A potent Pacific storm moving through the Rocky Mountains dropped temperatures and snarled travel across southeast Wyoming during the week of Feb. 16–19, 2026, forcing early-morning closures on Interstate 80. The Wyoming Department of Transportation reported that "As of 6:13 a.m., Interstate 80 westbound is closed between Cheyenne and Laramie, with an estimated opening time between 9 and 11 a.m.," and WYDOT said several road closures occurred early Wednesday due to winter conditions and crashes.

The Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service warned how the system would arrive, saying, "Snow will develop west of the Interstate 25 corridor today and spread east into the high plains this evening and tonight," and adding that "a few snow squalls are also expected between Rawlins and Cheyenne." The NWS also cautioned that "moderate snow accumulations are more likely north of Interstate 80 into Thursday morning where a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued."

Locally targeted forecasts showed Cheyenne facing mostly light snowfall paired with strong winds and a sharp temperature drop. The Cheyenne forecast posted on KGAB predicted, "Snow showers likely, mainly after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible." The overnight forecast continued, "Snow showers likely before 11pm, then a chance of snow, mainly between 11pm and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Blustery, with a west southwest wind 15 to 25 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible." NewsBreak and Y95 summarized NWS guidance noting that "While Cheyenne and Laramie can only expect light to moderate snowfall, snow squalls are possible, especially in Laramie, and both communities can expect wind chills that may fall below zero on Thursday."

Laramie and nearby higher-elevation communities felt the storm more intensely. Doug Randall wrote for Y95 and KGAB that "Old Man Winter is making his first appearance of 2026 in southeast Wyoming this week," and that the Laramie area experienced snow squalls, gusty winds and subzero wind-chill readings. Mountain and range forecasts diverged by outlet: Y95/KGAB reported up to 15 inches possible in the Sierra Madre Range and up to 8 inches in the Snowy Range, while Cap City News placed northern Laramie Range totals at 4–8 inches and lower elevations of Carbon and Albany counties at 1–2 inches.

The National Weather Service emphasized heavy mountain impacts, saying "periods of heavy snow will continue for the Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges through Thursday morning where ongoing Warnings and Advisories will continue." Cap City framed the change as a rapid temperature collapse, writing that "Southeast Wyoming will see a 30-degree temperature crash as a winter storm system moves in to replace early-week warmth with snow and subzero windchills," and warned that "the threat for Cheyenne residents lies in the arriving cold air and high-speed gusts that will drop real-feel temperatures toward zero by Thursday morning."

State travel agencies and emergency managers remained active as the system moved through the region during the week of Feb. 16–19, 2026, with the NWS and WYDOT's advisories and closures persisting into Thursday morning as crews worked to reopen affected corridors and respond to storm-related crashes.