textproduct: Cheyenne

KEY MESSAGES

- Warmer Wednesday, with cooler and near normal temperatures to end the week alongside some low-end precipitation chances, mostly for our eastern plains.

- Mountain snowfall expected tonight through Thursday with snow accumulations generally less than 6 inches.

- Occasionally very windy conditions for the wind prone areas, especially tonight and early Wednesday morning.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 310 AM MST Wed Jan 28 2026

Rather tranquil weather early this morning across southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska as an upper level ridge axis will push into the region later this morning. Main forecast concern over the next 18 hours will be locally strong gusty winds across a few of the wind prone areas. Current observations show a gust of 55 MPH at Cooper Cove, but not much of anything else with generally windy conditions elsewhere (gusts < 50 MPH), including Bordeaux. In-house wind guidance has stayed mainly the same with peak gradient/subsidence occurring over the next few hours and then decreasing around sunrise. Probabilities for gusts over 58 MPH remain around 50% to 55%, but 850mb to 700mb gradients have come down slightly compared to this time yesterday. Last minute High Wind Warning issuance will depend on any gusts climbing over 60 MPH and how widespread gusts of 50-55 MPH are for the remaining area. Otherwise, will handle this event with an SPS if gusts are intermittent and localized.

Models remain in good agreement through Thursday and show a continuation of northwest flow aloft as a progressive Pacific disturbance impacts the region later today and tonight. Not expecting much precipitation out of this feature due to the fast motion and limited moisture...with PWATS hardly climbing at all late Wednesday (0.30 to 0.40 grand ensemble mean, at best). Best chance for accumulating snowfall will likely be localized to the higher mountains, which could see a surprise 6+ inches based on the trajectory of the upper level disturbance and some upslope flow ahead and behind the trough axis. 6+ inch accumulations look isolated enough above 9500 feet to not need a Winter Weather Advisory at this time. Kept high temperatures today in the 40s to low 50s, warmest across far eastern Wyoming and the southern Nebraska Panhandle. Once the Pacific front moves across the area tonight, highs will be cooler on Thursday, but still near average (mid 30s to md 40s) for this time of the year.

For late this week, primary forecast concern will be a back door arctic cold front which is forecast to move into western Nebraska, and possibly the eastern Wyoming plains late Thursday night and Friday. Low confidence temperature and precipitation forecast for Friday as arctic fronts tend to be tricky in this area, with models sometimes underestimating the westward extent of the front and/or show the front retreating eastward too quickly. Blended the NBM 25th percentile and CONRAW for forecast highs on Friday...but the I-25 corridor will be tricky since some models show the front getting really close to the I-25 corridor and Laramie Range foothills. High temperatures on Friday will be deceptive in this area with the possibility of a quick 10 to 20 degree drop in temperatures during the day and into the evening hours. Increased POP further west, but only enough to add a mention of a slight chance of snow into the I-25 corridor through Friday evening. Best chance for some light accumulating snow will be along the Cheyenne Ridge and Pine Ridge across western Nebraska.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/

Issued at 218 PM MST Tue Jan 27 2026

The stubborn western ridge / eastern trough synoptic weather pattern will continue for the forseeable future, but a few weak storm systems will manage to graze the area. Another quick hitting and weak upper level shortwave may traverse through the area on Saturday, continuing the chances for light snow and perhaps providing a boost to the wind speeds. Currently only a handful (20%) of ensemble members have parameters supportive of high winds.

For Sunday and Monday, ensembles are in good agreement showing the powerful ridge shifting east and strengthening over the Rockies. 700- mb temperatures surge above 0C, which should support highs in at least the mid 40s to 50s. Several locations will even have a chance for temperatures over 60 degrees. Current probabilities for highs exceeding 60 are around 30 to 50% along and east of I-25 on Monday. The warmth will peak Sunday into Monday, before another shortwave trough breaks through the ridge around Tuesday. While there is generally pretty good agreement on a cooldown, the precipitation outcome is more uncertain.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1023 PM MST Tue Jan 27 2026

Widespread VFR conditions are expected through the period for all terminals. Occasional mid to high level moisture will pass overhead. Winds will pick up once again at select locations Wednesday afternoon.

CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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