textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- A mostly sunny and cool autumn day today, with highs in the 50s.

- A warming trend will return for the upcoming weekend, with highs reaching the upper 50s west of the Divide, and the 60s to lower 70s for central Wyoming.

- Rain chances start to move back into southwest Wyoming for the latter half of the week, but current chances remain low for most areas.

UPDATE

Issued at 1231 PM MDT Fri Oct 16 2026

No major changes to the forecast with this update. Seasonal to slightly above normal temperatures continue through the week, with no precipitation expected until at least Tuesday (across far western Wyoming). Saturday looks to be the warmest day for the next week, with highs in the 60s. Around Buffalo, temperatures have an 80 percent chance to exceed 75 degrees.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 229 AM MDT Fri Oct 16 2026

High pressure will remain the dominant feature this weekend, deflecting weather systems into southern Canada. Temperatures today will recover back into the 50s after starting in the 20s across the state. The ridge will bring even warmer temperatures on Saturday, with highs west of the divide around 60 degrees, while areas across central WY reach well into the 60s. Gusty southwest winds reaching 30 mph will sweep from Rock Springs northeast across Casper into northeast Wyoming. These warmer winds will bring even warmer temperatures across Johnson County Saturday, with highs well into the 70s.

A weak cold front is dragged southward late Saturday from a weather system crossing southern Canada. This will bring light north winds back into central WY, bringing high temps back down into the 50s for Sunday.

The next weather impact into next week depends on placement of the trough dropping down the West Coast. Moisture wrapping around the bottom of the trough may feed into southwest WY for the latter half of the week, bringing a chance for showers. Currently models have been leaning away from any significant rainfall, and have been delaying the initial arrival of the moisture farther into next week.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 342 PM MDT Fri Oct 16 2026

There is high confidence in dry and VFR flight conditions the entire TAF period. Apart from a few high clouds after 18Z Saturday, anticipate clear skies. Winds are forecast to be 11kts or less at most terminals through 00Z Sunday. The exception terminals are KCPR where gusty 20kt to 30kt winds are expected the entire TAF period and KCOD where gusty winds move in after 17Z Saturday.

Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for the latest information on icing and turbulence forecasts.

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.