textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- A storm system will continue to bring rain and snow today, focused most along and east of the Continental Divide. The heaviest snow will be seen in the Bighorns, as well as lower elevations of northern Johnson County through the morning hours. Winter travel conditions are expected over mountain passes and along the I-90 Corridor.

- Strong north to northwest winds with gusts of 30 to 45 mph will be seen across the area today.

- Overnight low temperatures will drop into the 15 to 25 degree range Saturday morning. Abnormal early season vegetation will be especially susceptible to this cold.

- A warming and drying trend begins Saturday across Wyoming and continues through the middle of next week, with more active weather expected by the end of the week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 340 AM MDT Fri Apr 3 2026

A low pressure system continues to impact Wyoming this morning. With the cold front now through the area and the center of the midlevel low near the middle of the state, the rest of the event will be most focused east of the Divide. Specifically, northern Wyoming will be favored as moisture wraps in cyclonically, leading to an increasing upsloping component there through the morning hours. The Bighorns will see the heaviest snow accumulation, especially the northern and southern portions of the range. The greatest area of concern among lower elevations continues to be northern Johnson County. This area will see the upsloping effect maximized over the next couple of hours and continue through around noon, leading to snow accumulations in the 4 to 8 inch range. Combined with strong northerly surface wind gusts of 25 to 45 mph, snow is expected to lead to travel impacts through the morning hours along the Interstate 90 Corridor, especially north of Buffalo.

Farther south, Casper Mountain should also see a decent period of snow this morning, with amounts in the 5 to 10 inch range. Other locations within Natrona and Johnson County can generally expect to see 1 to 3 inches. This will also be the case for much of the Bighorn Basin, with eastern portions against the rising slopes of the Bighorns most favored for higher amounts up to a few inches this morning. Lighter snow continues across western Wyoming as well today, though rates will continue to trend down.

Snow will decrease from west to east this afternoon as the low pulls away into the High Plains, mostly ending after sunset. With clearing skies overnight, a colder Saturday morning is expected as lows drop into the low 20s and upper teens. However, this cold won't last long as ridging quickly builds back in over the region. This will lead to a warm and dry weekend with temperatures peaking into the 50s and 60s both Saturday and Sunday. The warm and dry trend continues through early next week with temperatures peaking 10 to 20 degrees above normal by Tuesday. Deterministic models are hinting at the next system to arrive in the Wednesday to Thursday timeframe, though this has not been consistent and confidence is low on how widespread any precipitation would be. However, ensemble guidance does favor a more active pattern by late next week, leading to increasing opportunities for beneficial moisture across the area.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 511 AM MDT Fri Apr 3 2026

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

Precipitation chances continue to decrease through 15Z, although MVFR or low VFR conditions likely at KJAC and KPNA. VFR conditions increase and likely be at all terminals after 18Z, although occasional to frequent mountain obscurations will last through most of the day. West to northwest wind gusts of 30 to 35kt will be the main hazard through most of the TAF period, with the strongest wind in vicinity of KRKS. Skies will continue to clear with winds decreasing through 12Z Saturday. A few locations may see fog after 06Z Saturday, especially in vicinity of KJAC. However, not enough confidence to include in the TAFs at this time.

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

Periods of snow will continue across the Bighorn Basin as well mas Johnson and Natrona Counties through the morning, impacting KCPR, KWRL and at times KCOD with MVFR conditions and occasional IFR conditions in heavier bands of snow. Snow will taper off over the central basins around 18Z. Wind gusts will average 15 to 25 knots at most terminals, with the strongest wind in vicinity of KCPR, KWRL and KBYG where gusts over 35 knots will be possible at times. All snow should end by around 00Z Saturday with wind decreasing through the day an especially after sunset. Mountain obscurations will be around through the day, decreasing by 06Z Saturday. Patchy fog may develop in areas that saw snow today after 06Z as wind decreases and the sky clears, especially in vicinity of KCPR, KWRL and possibly KCOD. However, there is not enough confidence to include in the TAFs at this time.

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

Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM MDT this evening for WYZ001- 008>010-012-014-015-024.

Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM MDT this evening for WYZ002- 013-023.

Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT today for WYZ004-006.

Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM MDT this evening for WYZ011- 020-022.