textproduct: Cheyenne

KEY MESSAGES

- Multiple arctic cold fronts are expected to impact the forecast area through the end of the week and into the weekend. - Much colder temperatures Thursday through Sunday, with the strongest shot of cold air expected Friday.

- Some accumulating snowfall possible Friday and Friday night.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 351 PM MST Wed Jan 21 2026

Current observations show that a cold front has just moved through the CWA, with northerly winds and temperatures in the 30s behind it. This is the first shot of cold air that will affect the forecast area over the next 48 hours. This first cold front is rather dry, with not much mid-level moisture present. However, there will be some increasing high clouds later tonight. Winds behind the first front will also ease through the remainder of the afternoon, leading to a quiet overnight.

As expected, temperatures on Thursday will be much colder behind the front. Highs will struggle to reach freezing for most cities as 700 mb temperatures hover in the negative teens. Dry conditions are expected during the day, but clouds will increase during the afternoon ahead of the approaching arctic front. Arctic air will likely arrive by Thursday evening, bringing with it some light snow. Winds behind the front will be rather weak, with surface winds turning more easterly. These easterly winds will lead to upslope flow across the eastern portion of the CWA, leading to light snow during the overnight hours. Light snow accumulations generally under an inch could be possible, mainly along and east of the Laramie Range, including portions of the Nebraska panhandle. Temperatures overnight will fall into the single digits, with below zero temperatures likely in valleys and the northern Nebraska panhandle.

Arctic air will hang around through the day Friday with high temperatures struggling to reach the teens for areas east of the Laramie Range. Although winds will not be particularly strong under the arctic airmass, even the slightest breeze will lead to bitterly cold wind chills. Wind chills Friday morning could drop below -20F, prompting the need for a future Wind Chill Advisory. Snow chances increase during the day Friday with ensemble, Hi-Res, and deterministic models showing the potential for accumulating snow. Ensemble consensus from both the GFS and ECMWF show about an inch of accumulation for most of the CWA, with Hi-Res guidance generally on board with those totals. NBM shows slightly higher totals up to 2 to 3 inches which may not be out of the question with model soundings showing saturated dendritic growth zones and perhaps a hint of warm, moist air aloft overrunning colder air at the surface. Snow will continue into the overnight hours Friday.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 351 PM MST Wed Jan 21 2026

The long term starts quite chilly as an arctic airmass overspreads the region and we see some light snow across much of the CWA before ridging begins to take over and warm us up and bring back chances of high winds. Overnight lows Friday night into Saturday behind an arctic airmass will be bitter, into the negatives with wind chills bringing us down into the negative teens and twenties. With temperatures getting this cold, a few locations will likely need Cold Weather Advisories. And highs likewise will struggle to break out of the teens and single digits. Meanwhile a weak slug of moisture should bring a chance at snow, and while current totals are generally on the low side, around 1-2 inches, some models indicate we could see some better growth rates and perhaps a little more snow than forecast. Still, don't anticipate anything worthy of a stout winter storm, but perhaps a surprise advisory could be in store.

Into the later part of the weekend and early next week, we'll see ridging taking over once again and pressure gradients and the low level jet returning, meaning what else - high winds. In house guidance is starting to ping a 40-80% probability of winds 58+ mph for our wind prone locations beginning Sunday morning and continuing into the early week timeframe, and Craig to Casper gradients are peaking in the 55-65 meter range while 700mb winds are reaching into the 60 knot range. Don't be surprised if our brief respite from strong winds is broken by early next week. Otherwise the ridge will bring us into a dry westerly flow pattern, with temperatures on the rise. Highs are able to reach back up into the 20's on Sunday, and then Monday into Tuesday we should get back out of freezing during the afternoon each day as highs return into the 40's.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1045 PM MST Wed Jan 21 2026

Primary forecast concern over the next 24 to 30 hours will be the secondary arctic cold front, which is forecast to push south into southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska this afternoon and this evening. Any lowering CIGS or snowfall should hold off until after 06z Friday.

HAZARDS/WEATHER TRENDS: VFR conditions expected over the next 24 hours with relatively quiet weather ahead of the secondary front. Even winds will be tame as the arctic front will become stationary for most of Thursday morning, and then slowly move south between 15z and 21z. Clouds will gradually lower to 5000 feet agl over KCDR and KAIA after 00z Friday. Snow will likely hold off until after 06z Friday for these two terminals.

CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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