Do not ignore signs of changing conditions in Wyoming skies, roads

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  "If you don't like the weather in Wyoming, wait five minutes, and it will change." 

This is a common phrase many people may have heard at Warren this time of year, but in some cases it could be true. 

Transitional weather is a term used to describe a drastic change in weather during spring, and everyone traveling should be aware of the dangers on the roads, said Mike Woods, 90th Missile Wing safety office. 

"Warren's transitional weather is by far worse than the other missile wings due to the simple fact that we are located farther south and at a higher altitude," said Capt. Andrew Mercer, 90th Operations Support Squadron weather flight commander. "Warren Airmen need to be more responsible and pay closer attention to the changing weather this time of year." 

Captain Mercer said paying attention to daily weather conditions is one of the most important things to practice. 

If someone is going out to the missile field, going on a short road trip to Laramie or Denver, or going hiking for the day, "everyone should be prepared for the worst during Wyoming's transitional weather period," Capt. Mercer said. 

"Whether it is snowing and windy one day or warm the next, Airmen here need to remember that even if the roads are green when they leave base, things can change," Mr. Woods said. 

Along with changing dramatically, the weather can also change from county to county or mile marker to mile marker, he said. 

"Someone could be driving down the road, crest a hill, and there could be snow or ice, even if the rest of the roads has been clean," Mr. Woods said. 

He said Airmen have a false sense of security, and they need to be pessimistic, especially when driving in areas with which they are unfamiliar. 

Mr. Woods said there is a different mindset when it's snowing. Because of the existing bad conditions, people tend to be more cautious. 

"It's the times where they leave base and the roads are clean and green, then run into hazardous conditions that I worry about," he said. "These are the times where we need to teach our younger guys to slow down, be more careful and call in the change of conditions to the [traffic control center]." 

"Every rollover accident has the potential to be fatal," Mr. Woods said. 

The 90th MW currently has gone more than 650 days without a rollover accident in the missile field. Airmen can't let this time of year effect the decisions they make, he said.