textproduct: Cheyenne

KEY MESSAGES

- A backdoor cold front will bring cloud cover, colder temperatures, and snow chances to the high plains on Friday. Minimal accumulations expected.

- Mild and dry weather expected over the weekend.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 332 PM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

Radar and observations show light showers over the Nebraska panhandle early this afternoon, caused by a shortwave moving across the high plains. The better plume of moisture sits over the Dakotas and central Nebraska, so little accumulation of both rain and snow is expected this afternoon. A few lingering showers could be possible overnight, but again, nothing impactful is expected.

Early Friday morning, a backdoor cold front will begin to creep into the northern Nebraska panhandle out of South Dakota. This front will bring a layer of low stratus, cold temperatures, and snow chances. The western and southern extent of the front is still a little iffy as models don't always do the best with these backdoor fronts. However, it does look shallow enough that if it did make it as far west as the Laramie Range, it would not make it past the terrain into Albany and Carbon Counties. Most models bring the front as far west as the Wyoming/Nebraska border and south into Colorado. Highest confidence for coldest temperatures during the day Friday will be in the northern Nebraska panhandle. Cold air aloft, as well as ample cloud cover and precipitation chances will likely lead to highs below freezing. Most other locations in the CWA will only see high temperatures in the 30s and low 40s. Once again, most models keep the precipitation in the Nebraska panhandle along the frontal boundary. However, cannot rule out some light snow showers or flurries in the Interstate 25 corridor. Accumulations will remain below an inch as fronts this cold usually do not contain a lot of moisture. The "highest" snow amounts are expected in the Pine Ridge and cities north of it. Snow will taper off across the panhandle during the evening hours.

Friday night, another upper-level shortwave will move across Montana and northern Wyoming. This could potentially lead to another round of snow showers, this time in the mountains and the northern zones of the CWA. Little to no accumulation is expected with this progressive system with precipitation moving out of the area by Saturday morning. Behind the shortwave, winds will increase with elevated to brief high winds possible in the typical wind prone areas.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 332 PM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

Long term period initiates with a highly amplified pattern in place, characterized by western CONUS ridging and subsequent downstream troughing. A weak upper level impulse riding the northwest flow aloft on Saturday morning may clip the county warning area but nothing more than a few snow showers over the higher terrain areas of SE WY along with the far eastern sections of the NE panhandle are expected. Snow amounts will be minimal.

The aforementioned ridge will dominate starting Saturday afternoon and will continue to do so on Sunday and Monday, No precipitation is expected with temperatures warming with time. Downsloping off the higher terrain will allow temperatures to warm into the upper 40s to mid 50s on the leeward side of the mountains.

Guidance remains consistent with developing a rather stout ridge along the west coast starting around Tuesday which places the CWA in northwest flow aloft. Overall the models remain in good agreement but there are some subtle differences with one solution showing a weak shortwave or two moving through while others remain dry. Even if these shortwaves come to fruition, they look largely non descript with little if any significant moisture. Temperatures will be knocked down somewhat Tuesday and Wednesday with deeper northwest flow before heights rise again Thursday to close out the period.

Bottom line is the long term period will largely be dominated by upper ridging with minimal chances of precipitation and virtually no chances of meaningful precipitation. Temperatures look to average well above average early in the period, near average in the middle of it, before climbing to well above normal again at its conclusion.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1020 PM MST Thu Jan 29 2026

Outside of winds gusting 20-25 knots, VFR conditions will prevail across the southeast Wyoming terminals (KRWL, KLAR, and KCYS) for the duration of this TAF period. A different story for the Nebraska terminals, a system will move in and increase precipitation chances along with lowering CIGs tonight. Confidence remains low on the timing and coverage, so PROB30 groups remain for KCDR, KSNY, and KAIA. Expect MVFR to IFR CIGs and VIS if a snow showers passes over a terminal. By 00Z Saturday, conditions will improve with CIGs lifting as the system moves out of the region.

CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WY...None. NE...None.