Driving the open plains in Cheyenne County means watching the sky

The highways across Cheyenne County are flat, straight, and open, which makes for easy miles right up until the weather turns.

In spring and summer, the eastern plains are storm country. The National Weather Service often watches this region for severe thunderstorms, large hail, strong wind, and the chance of tornadoes. A clear morning can give way to a fast-building storm by afternoon, and there is little shelter on an open road.

In winter, the same open country brings a different problem. Wind picks up loose snow and blows it across the road, which can cut visibility to almost nothing in a ground blizzard even when little new snow is falling. Drifts and ice follow. On long stretches between towns, that can leave drivers a long way from help.

None of this means you should not drive here. It means the smart move is to check before you go, especially for a longer trip across the county or toward the state line.

For current storm watches and warnings, use the National Weather Service. For road conditions and any closures, check Colorado’s COtrip before you head out, since those statuses change by the hour.