High Winds on Wyoming Boulevard (WYO 258)

[andy3175]

It's not often I'll post about a highway accident, but this one on WYO 258 (Wyoming Boulevard in Casper) is notable because there were wind gusts of 77 mph and sustained wind of 62 mph. The picture accompanying the article shows a semi-truck that ran off the highway along with "ground blizzards" caused by drifting snow and high winds. A wind sock blows nearly parallel to the ground as the wind was blowing it hard.

http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming-boulevard-opens-after-mph-winds-blow-over-semi-driver/article_7eef6436-3b3f-52e9-b490-014237988cb9.html

The road was closed from Casper Mountain Road to East 21st Street from about 9:30 a.m. to about noon Monday.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation reported gusts on the road up to 77 mph and sustained winds at 62 mph. Hurricane winds begin at 74 mph. Onlookers said even standing in the wind was difficult.

Before the truck blew over, the road was open with no light trailer advisories. The Department of Transportation later updated the road's condition to say it was slick in spots with dangerous winds, blowing snow and low visibility. The department advised against light trailers traveling on the road and said there was an extreme risk of being blown over.

The dip in Wyoming Boulevard where the truck was blown over is where some of the worst winds are, said Jeff Goetz, spokesman for the department. Two signs on the road warn drivers of potential dangers, he said, but drivers also need to use common sense.