textproduct: Cheyenne

KEY MESSAGES

- Red Flag Warnings are in effect for Thursday primarily across far southeastern Wyoming and the southern Nebraska Panhandle due to elevated fire concerns.

- A widespread high wind event is ongoing and will continue through this evening across most of southeast Wyoming. Therefore, High Wind Warnings remain in effect.

- A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the I-80 corridor from Cheyenne to Sidney on Friday afternoon due to low humidity and breezy conditions.

- Relatively cool and wet weather is expected for the weekend and early next week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 307 PM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

High winds continue to trend downward this afternoon as the first upper-level shortwave moves eastward out of the CWA. Winds continue to gust over 50 MPH, so High Wind Warnings will stay in effect until their expirations this evening. Once the sun sets, winds will ease overnight. Blustery conditions will remain at the typical wind prone areas overnight as a secondary shortwave drops in from the north. Besides the wind, radar shows weak scattered showers across much of the forecast area. Some observations sites are reporting light precipitation, however a majority of the precipitation is not reaching the ground due to the dry low-levels. This will change later this evening as the aforementioned secondary shortwave moves into the area.

Tonight, Hi-Res guidance shows pretty good precipitation chances for the northern zones as the secondary shortwave skirts our northern border. Temperatures overnight will be below freezing, so snow is likely. Accumulations are also possible from Douglas to Chadron and points northward. Accumulations will be on the lighter side, with the most likely amounts ranging from a dusting to an inch. However, cannot rule out a few locations further north seeing up to 3 inches when this event is done Friday morning.

Lingering moisture and energy around on Friday will spark another round of scattered showers during the day. There are a few hundred joules of CAPE as indicated by model soundings, so showers will be convective in nature. Given that most profiles across the area show inverted-v's, cannot rule out strong gusty winds in these showers. During the evening hours, a weak cold front will push down from the north, diminishing shower activity across the area.

Cooler temperatures are expected Saturday behind the front. High temperatures will be in the 40s and 50s across the area which is roughly below average for most of the forecast area. Saturday will be similar to Friday as energy from the trough aloft triggers scattered showers during the day. However, precipitation chances will increase Saturday night as the next system moves into the area.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 307 PM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Saturday night-Sunday...Looks like some much needed precipitation as a slow moving trough aloft moves overhead, and with a moist airmass and low level upslope enhancing lift, we expect widespread showers to affect the forecast area. Somewhat cooler compared to Saturday with all the cloud cover and expected precipitation.

Monday...Zonal flow aloft continues and with enough low and mid level moisture and upslope low level lift, we expect scattered to numerous showers and a few thunderstorms due to the instability.

Tuesday...Northwest flow aloft moves overhead, and with adequate low and mid level moisture, we anticipate scattered showers and a few thunderstorms. Slightly warmer based on 700 mb temperature trends.

Wednesday...The next trough aloft moves to southern California with northwest flow aloft over our forecast area. With some increase in low and mid level moisture, we anticipate an increase in areal coverage of showers and some thunderstorms. Temperatures about the same as on Tuesday.

Thursday...Another shortwave trough aloft moves across Montana, with our west northwest flow weakening across our forecast area. With adequate low and mid level moisture in the atmosphere, and the lift from the approaching shortwave trough, we anticipate scattered to numerous showers and some thunderstorms to develop. Continued cool temperatures based on the cloud cover and precipitation coverage.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 525 PM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Precipitation chances will increase across the Nebraska Panhandle after 00Z associated with a weak shortwave trough skirting by to the north. MVFR conditions are likely (60% chance) with CIGS expected to lower to below 2 kft after 06Z at CDR as winds veer to northerly resulting in 5-10 knot upslope flow along the Pine Ridge through 18Z. Moderate confidence that we will see stratus during this time.

VFR conditions will prevail for the remainder of the terminals through the TAF period, with the Wyoming terminals experiencing peak gusts of 35-40 knots out of the WNW. AIA, BFF, and SNY will be more relaxed with peak gusts around 10 knots. Aside from CDR, expect CIGS to remain aoa 10 kft.

CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WY...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for WYZ430-431- 433. Red Flag Warning from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for WYZ430-431. High Wind Warning until 6 PM MDT this evening for WYZ106>108- 110-115>119. NE...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for NEZ435>437. Red Flag Warning from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for NEZ437.