Winter storm impacts felt across Carbon County
Carbon County will see only an inch or two of additional snowfall, but the impacts from the winter storm that hit the region last night will be felt through the day.
Interstate 80 across remains closed from Rock Springs to Cheyenne this morning. Here in our region, US 30/Wyoming 287 from Walcott Junction to Rock River is closed. Also closed is Wyoming 487 through the Shirley Basin.
Jerry Claypool, chief forecaster with the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, said the heavy snow will taper off in Carbon County by noon today, but winds will cause travel problems.
In an early morning conference call with media, school district officials and others, Claypool noted that wind speeds here will peak around 45 miles an hour at times. Travelers can expect blowing and drifting snow. Cold air is coming in behind the storm, Claypool said. Temperatures will drop to below zero tonight for Saratoga, Rawlins and the surrounding area.
Temperatures in Carbon County are expected to be around zero to five below. Meteorologist Don Day has all of the forecast details available here.
In addition to roads gated shut this morning, all in-town schools in Rawlins are closed today because of the weather. This includes the Rawlins Elementary Schools, Rawlins Middle School, Rawlins High School, Rawlins Cooperative High School, and the Carbon County Higher Education Center. The District One School Board meeting scheduled for tonight has also been cancelled.
The north schools in Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow are running on a two-hour delay this morning. H.E.M. Junior Senior High School Principal Steven Priest tells Bigfoot 99 that students should report to their attendance centers at 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, Saratoga Principal Darren Jennings says schools are operating on time and on schedule.
Only four or five inches of snow fell in Saratoga. Other areas of the county saw a foot or more.
Also closed today are all Carbon County government offices. County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett said the hope right now is for county offices to reopen on Wednesday. County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
In Rawlins, street crews have been working around the clock to clear the heavy snow that fell last night. Street Crew Boss Mike Picerno estimates that 12 to 14 inches of snow fell overnight. Picerno said the big concern is the wind.
Picerno said the main objective of crews last night and this morning was keeping primary and emergency routes cleared.
Because of conditions, including drifting snow, the City of Rawlins has issued a no travel advisory within the city limits. Conditions in unincorporated areas of the county are also rough today.
Carbon County Sheriff Archie Roybal told Bigfoot 99 he is advising no unnecessary travel until roads open and weather improves.
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