Location and Driving Directions
Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., is easy to find. The base sits on the western edge of the city of Cheyenne, Wyo., which is located in Southeast Wyoming, and is about nine miles north of the Colorado border and just off of Interstate-25. The base is immediately adjacent to the west side of the city of Cheyenne, and directly across U.S. I-25 and three miles north of the I-80 and I-25 interchange. Cheyenne can be accessed easily by car, bus, airline or shuttle from Denver International Airport. Cheyenne is located 100 miles north of Denver, Colorado, and is the transportation crossroads in the southeastern corner of Wyoming. It is eight miles north of the Colorado border on I-25 and 40 miles west of the Nebraska border off I-80. Currently, Gate 2 (Exit 10 off I-25), is our 24/7 access to the installation. The Visitor Control Center is located outside of Gate 1 (exit 11 off I-25) and Gate 1's hours of operation are 6 am - 6 pm, Monday thru Friday. Gate 5 (Exit 12 off I-25) and is currently closed for POV traffic until 31 December 2021 for construction. The installation has no shuttle service or public transportation. The gate guard can direct you to the 24-hour central arrival point at the Crow Creek Inn in Building 216. You can reach the Crow Creek Inn at 307-773-3077 or DSN 312-481-3077. The base and town are roughly two hours north of Denver, and seven to 10 hours from Salt Lake City or Omaha, Neb.
Climate
Cheyenne, located near the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and on the high plains, has four distinct seasons and, at times, rapidly changing weather conditions. Located in a fairly dry region of the country, the base receives about 14 inches of moisture per year in the form of rain or snowmelt and has an average winter snowfall of 52 inches. Snowfall is common nine months out of the year due to the high plains environment (more than 6,000 feet above sea level.) The first snowfall of the season typically occurs in late September and the last snowfall occurs in May.
Winter months are usually dry and windy with wind gusts commonly more than 50 mph. Blowing and drifting snow create particularly hazardous conditions for winter travel. All of the major highways leading through Cheyenne occasionally close due to severe winter weather. Average winter temperatures range from the 30s during the day to teens overnight. Cold snaps that can plunge temperatures and wind chills below zero are typically short lived.
Spring and summer seasons are the wettest times of the year with more than two inches of moisture per month from April to July. Severe thunderstorms occur in the late spring to summer months and can result in flash flooding conditions, large hail and even occasional tornadoes. The peak of the tornado season along the Front Range is June, while the greatest flash flooding potential exists in July and August. Average summer temperatures are pleasant, due in part to the low humidity, with most days in the low 80s for highs and 50s for overnight lows.
The bottom line is the weather in Cheyenne can and will change rapidly, no matter what the season. Always be prepared.