The fall storm still pummelling parts of the state with snow and winds caused numerous accidents, closed schools and state government offices, forced road closures, and generally made life difficult, especially for southeastern Wyoming.

But there may be a silver lining amid the slush.

"I think the snow pack is starting off pretty good," said meteorologist Mike Weiland of the National Weather Service's Cheyenne office, which tracks weather in southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska.

The Laramie and Snowy ranges received between 1 foot and 2 feet of snow, Weiland said.

Casper Mountain and the Wind River Mountains likewise received at least a foot, said meteorologist Bill Murrell of the NWS's Riverton office, which covers central and western Wyoming.

In the southern Wind River mountains, the 15 to 20 inches of new snow covered an existing pack of 5 to 10 inches, Murrell said. "This snow more likely will stay around."

If November temperatures cooperate, snow on the north face of Casper Mountain will remain, too, he said.

Wyoming finally emerged from a drought that lasted through most of the decade, and the snowpack is a good indicator of how well reservoirs and irrigation will fare in 2010.

This storm, coupled with one earlier in October, has exceeded monthly moisture averages for Casper and Cheyenne, Murrell and Weiland said.

By this time in October, Casper received 10.1 inches of snow, compared to the average of 4 inches, Murrell said.

Cheyenne has received 18.9 inches, well above the average of 5.1 inches, Weiland said.

Even so, these fall storms are not unusual, he said.

Happier still was Gary Vantrease, manager of Casper's Hogadon Ski Area.

Hogadon tries to open the day after Thanksgiving, but recent years haven't been kind with little if any snowpack, Vantrease said.

This year looks great because of the storm, he said. "What this does is encourage us to open on time."

Earlier openings mean more skiers and revenue, and less subsidy from the city's general funds, Vantrease said.

Those with appointments and travel plans weren't as happy.

On Wednesday morning, about 20 vehicles -- including several tractor trailers -- collided in the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 80 about 20 miles west of Cheyenne, a Wyoming Department of Transportation spokesman said.

The number of injuries or fatalities, if any, was unknown, Doug McGee said.

WYDOT closed I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie, and McGee said he didn't know when the highway would reopen. The agency also close several other roads in south-central and southeastern Wyoming.

McGee advised motorists to exercise caution because the blowing snow drastically cuts visibility, to keep their distance between themselves and other vehicles, watch their speed, and be patient. "Stay extremely alert," he said.

The National Weather Service is predicting heavy snow -- up to 7 more inches -- from Wednesday night through this morning in central and southwestern Wyoming, and even more in southeastern Wyoming.

The lowest wind chill readings will range between zero to 10 above this morning.

Winter storm warnings are still in effect for much of central and southeastern Wyoming, with winds often gusting between 40 and 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm forced the closures of state government offices in Cheyenne, schools in Laramie County, breast health/breast cancer awareness classes at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, and birthing and other classes at the Wyoming Medical Center.

The storm also forced the Cheyenne hospital to invoke its Severe Winter Weather Plan, which may reduce elective procedures depending on the severity and duration of the storm, according to a news release.

Reach Tom Morton at (307) 266--0592, or at tom.morton@trib.com. Check out his blog at tribtown.trib.com.