GILLETTE, Wyo. – Government offices across Campbell County will be closed Wednesday as a winter storm continues to impact the region prompting multiple road closures.
“Due to weather conditions, Campbell County Governmental Offices will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 22,” a Feb. 21 county text message alert stated at 10:24 p.m.
City of Gillette offices will also be closed Feb. 22 with City Administrator Hyun Kim declaring a Level II Snow Emergency advising against non-emergency travel, though residents should still check with their employers to determine if their place of employment is open or closed.
Northeastern Wyoming remains under a Winter Storm Warning, according to the National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Heavy snow accumulation between 7 and 13 inches in conjunction with wind speeds up to 40mph and windchill values as low as 35 below zero are possible, per NWS.
“Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility,” NWS says. “The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 35 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.”
Severe winter weather conditions have prompted multiple road closures around Gillette and Wright, according to the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
As of 11 p.m. Feb. 21, southbound Highway 59 and Highway 50 are both closed, as are westbound I-90 to Buffalo and Highway 14-16 north of the North Highway 59 junction, per WYDOT.
Southbound Highway 59 from Wright and Highway 387 to Midwest are also closed, WYDOT advises.
Eastbound I-90, Highway 51 to Rozet, and North Highway 59 to the Montana border are all open; however, all three roadways are experiencing severe winter weather impacts, according to WYDOT.
Update: as of 10 a.m. Feb. 22, South Highway 59 to Wright has been reopened but continues to experience severe weather impacts, according to the latest information available from WYDOT.
