Map Of Wyoming’s Most Gusty Driving Areas

The map below is from the National Weather Service showing 'gust-prone areas' in eastern and southeast Wyoming.

This is handy if you're driving and want to know where you'll be hit by the strongest gusts. There is a reason why these spots stand out.

Some of these areas along the highways have windsocks that show wind speed and direction, including gusts.

Imagine putting your thumb over the end of a garden hose. That pressure has to go somewhere. That's why it squirts out high and far. The same happens when high-pressure winds have to squeeze through narrow passages in the mountains and hills.

Keep this map in mind if you are driving in these areas during high wind events.

Driving in Wyoming during high-wind events—which often see gusts exceeding 60-80 mph, particularly between November and April—is exceptionally hazardous, frequently leading to road closures and high-profile vehicle rollovers.

The most notorious, windy areas are located in the southeastern part of the state, including Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Rawlins (specifically the Elk Mountain and Arlington areas) and Interstate 25 between Chugwater and Wheatland (Bordeaux).

When driving in these conditions, I'm particularly mindful of bridges. If the wind gets under it, it can pick up speed and come out the other end with severe turbulence that rushes up and around, smacking the vehicle from the opposite side.

Wyoming's high-velocity winds, often exceeding 60-80 mph in prone areas, pose a severe driving hazard, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and in mountain passes. These winds can cause instantaneous loss of control, leading to 'blow-over' accidents for high-profile vehicles, such as semi-trucks, RVs, and empty trailers.