textproduct: Cheyenne

KEY MESSAGES

- A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the I-80 corridor from Cheyenne to Sidney this afternoon due to low humidity and breezy conditions.

- Isolated to scattered showers and snow showers possible this afternoon and evening due to a stationary front draped across the region.

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

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/

Issued at 333 PM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

Observations currently show a cold front draped across the northern part of the CWA, roughly along a line extending from Douglas to Glendo to Harrison and points northward. Temperatures behind the slow moving front are in the 30s and are on the moister side. Here, weak radar returns and ground observations show scattered light snow showers. South of this front, conditions are warmer and dryer. Temperatures are sitting in the 50s and 60s for most locations. Radar also shows weak echoes, however, the dry surface and low- levels are likely preventing a lot of this precipitation from making it to the ground as ground observations are not yet reporting rain. Shower activity will continue throughout the afternoon and into the early evening. However, showers will dissipate later this evening as the cold front gradually pushes south into Colorado. Cannot rule out another round of light snow for the northern zones overnight as a weak pulse of energy comes off the stationary trough sitting over Saskatchewan. Accumulations will be possible, however it will likely not be greater than an inch.

Temperatures across much of the area will be cooler behind the cold front on Saturday. High temperatures will generally be in the 40s and 50s which is cooler than average for most locations. Hi-Res guidance keeps conditions dry throughout much of the day, however some showers could start to develop later in the afternoon ahead of the next Pacific system. Precipitation chances increase headed into Saturday night as the shortwave associated with the next system moves into southern Nevada. With ample mid-level moisture available, western portions of the CWA could start seeing precipitation as early as Saturday night.

Precipitation becomes much more widespread on Sunday with the shortwave pushing into Wyoming by Sunday afternoon. Most locations are likely to see some sort of precipitation, with lower elevations seeing rain and higher elevations like the Snowy and Sierra Madres getting accumulating snow. Temperatures on Sunday will be fairly similar to Saturday with highs in the 40s and 50s. So although likely not cool enough for widespread snow, a chilly, raw day is expected. With both IVT and PWATs reaching the 90th percentile for NAEFS climatology by Sunday, expect some decent moisture, with QPF amounts reaching a few tenths, if not more.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 333 PM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

Sunday night-Monday...A series of shortwave troughs aloft move overhead 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...Another shortwave trough aloft moves overhead, and with adequate low and mid level moisture, we anticipate scattered to numerous showers and a few thunderstorms. Warmer based on 700 mb temperature trends.

Wednesday...Northwest flow aloft prevails over our forecast area. With adequate low and mid level moisture, we anticipate scattered showers and a few thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures about the same as on Tuesday.

Thursday...A shortwave trough aloft moves across the western High Plains states, sending a cold front across our counties, and producing scattered showers and a few thunderstorms. Cooler temperatures in the mid 40s to mid 50s with 700 mb temperatures near -3 Celsius.

Friday...Weak flow aloft lies overhead and with some low and mid level moisture, we expect scattered showers and a few thunderstorms. Warmer temperatures as 700 mb temperatures rise to near 0 Celsius.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1128 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

West southwest flow aloft will continue, while a cold front passing this afternoon and evening brings unsettled weather through the period.

Wyoming TAFS...High confidence in ceilings lowering to 5000 feet this evening, then to 1500 to 2500 feet after midnight, then improving to 5000 feet Saturday morning. Pressure gradients suggest winds gusting to 48 knots at Rawlins and Laramie until 03Z, then to 25 knots at Laramie from 09Z to 15Z, and gusting to 35 knots at Cheyenne until 07Z.

Nebraska TAFS...For Chadron and Alliance, high confidence in ceilings near 4500 feet through 09Z, with occasional showers from 18Z to 22Z reducing visibilities to 6 miles and ceilings to 2500 feet, then ceilings near 2500 feet from 09Z to 15Z with visibilities in fog reduced to 2 miles, then ceilings near 4000 feet after 15Z Saturday. Winds gusting to 25 knots until 01Z.

For Scottsbluff and Sidney, high confidence in scattered to broken clouds from 4000 to 10000 feet with occasional showers at Scottsbluff from 20Z to 00Z, and ceilings near 2500 feet at Sidney from 05Z to 15Z. Winds gusting to 32 knots at Scottsbluff until 04Z, and to 37 knots at Sidney until 15Z Saturday.

CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WY...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for WYZ430-431. NE...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for NEZ437.