textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- A weak front passes through the state this afternoon and evening bringing chances for light snow showers across the lower elevation portions of the state.

- Accumulating snow of a few inches will be possible mainly in the higher elevations such as the Tetons, Salt River/Wyoming and northern Bighorn ranges through Wednesday evening.

- Mild temperatures and dry conditions are forecast to prevail through the end of January.

- Early indications of well above normal temperatures and dry conditions to persist across the region into the first week of February.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 122 AM MST Wed Jan 28 2026

The last week of January has started off with a return of mild and dry conditions. This looks to only continue as we head into the second half of the week. A weak cold front looks to move through the region today bringing with it some chances for showers across parts of the state. Showers begin to develop over western WY around noon today with coverage gradually spreading east through the afternoon. The best chances (40-80%) for precipitation will be across the higher elevation mountains, especially in western WY. Western valleys may see a brief period of light snowfall during the afternoon with maybe a coating to at most an inch possible. Showers spread into central and northern WY by the mid afternoon. Moisture in association with this front is looking rather limited so many locations may see little to nothing as a result of the frontal passage. Lower elevations east of the Divide look to have around a 20-50% chance for a light snow shower. Portions of the Bighorn Basin, Wind River Basin as well as Johnson and Natrona Counties all will have the opportunity for a brief snow shower during the afternoon/evening. However, as mentioned earlier little to no snow accumulation is expected which will keep any impacts at a minimum. The higher elevation mountains such as the Tetons, Salt River/Wyoming, and northern Bighorn Ranges may see a few inches of snow accumulation. Guidance is suggesting amounts of 2 to 4 inches being within the realm of possibility for the higher elevations of these ranges. Precipitation moves out of the area by the late evening with skies clearing by the early morning hours on Thursday. Some showers may linger over the mountains of western WY but additional snow accumulations look to be very minimal.

Along with precipitation chances the weak frontal passage will bring some increased winds to parts of the state Wednesday. The breeziest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts near 30 mph look to be mainly confined to the Wind Corridor from Casper to Rock Springs along with the upper Wind River Basin and Cody Foothills. Elsewhere some breezy winds cannot be ruled out but overall light winds should prevail.

The first of possibly two rounds of potent areas of high pressure build in behind the front for the last few days of January. This should allow for mild and dry conditions to reestablish itself over the region. This can be seen with daily high temperatures continuing to moderate through the remainder of the week. Highs will gradually warm into the mid to upper 40s east of the Divide and mid to upper 30s west of the Divide for Thursday and Friday. Saturday possibly sees the return of well above normal temperatures with many locations seeing highs nearly 20 degrees above normal. Highs Saturday are forecast to get into the low 50s east of the Divide and mid 40s west of the Divide. While this usually should be quite shocking, its become way too common this winter and truly nothing out of the ordinary this year. Temperatures continue to warm and remain well above normal for the first days of February. A potential system that was mentioned in yesterdays discussion looks to remain well to the east of the area. The most likely impacts would be increased winds with little to no chances for precipitation. Another disturbance looks to near the region for the first half of next week with current model guidance showing high uncertainty regarding its impacts and track at this time. As mentioned earlier, there may be two potent areas of high pressure moving into the region. The first to end January and the second building in for the start of February. This second high is being mentioned this far out as there is good consensus among models for this occurring. This is also further supported by CPC outlooks showing increased chances for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation over the region. So while nearly a week out, it is looking ever so likely we may see another round of well above normal temperatures and dry conditions through the first week of February. The record warm and abnormally dry 2025-2026 winter continues with no significant change or relief within sight.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 957 PM MST Tue Jan 27 2026

West of the Divide...KBPI/KJAC/KPNA/KRKS Terminals.

SCT-BKN FL200-300 clouds will remain in place through 18Z. Snow chances increase from the west after 19Z, as ceilings drop to around 6000ft. Mountain obscurations will increase over the western portions through the afternoon as well. There will be about a 65% chance for snow at KJAC starting about 20Z, with marginal MVFR conditions. These conditions are expected to last through the rest of the TAF period, despite snow ending around 03Z. Elsewhere, chances are less, with 30 to 40 percent chances at KBPI/KPNA. Marginal MVFR conditions are also expected with any snow shower. Conditions are expected to remain dry at KRKS, with westerly wind gusts around 25kt through the afternoon and evening.

East of the Divide...KCOD/KCPR/KLND/KRIW/KWRL Terminals.

VFR conditions prevail through the period, with winds decreasing overnight, and then increasing with diurnal trends Wednesday morning/afternoon. A weak and quick-moving weather system moves through Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. The main impact from this is increasing clouds. However, there is about a 20% chance for light snow at most sites. These chances are too low to include in TAFs at this time, but wouldn't be surprised to see light snow between 20Z and the end of the period as the weather system moves through. Mountain obscurations will increase after 00Z.

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.