textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Gusty north winds continue in the wake of the cold front tonight, with blowing snow and light accumulations across central and southern central Wyoming.

- Breezy north winds will persist through the day Sunday, but gusts will be notably less than those on Saturday, with 15 to 25 mph gusts in the forecast for most locations. Gusts closer to 35 mph are expected in the Upper Green River Basin.

- Temperatures on Sunday will be about 15 to 35 degrees colder than those experienced Saturday. - Confidence is high (90%) for well above average temperatures from Tuesday into next weekend, with record-breaking heat looking increasingly likely.

UPDATE

Issued at 1222 PM MDT Sat Mar 14 2026

Forecast on track for the next 24 hours with veritable cornucopia of weather across Wyoming. Winds have ramped up considerably again today, with frequent gusts above 40 mph. The cold front and associated snow have already moved into NW WY, with low vis from Jackson into the Parks gradually spreading east through the afternoon. There is also enough energy associated with this system for a few rumbles of thunder on the leading edge of the front as it moves through this afternoon and evening. Snowfall amounts remain in range, with advisory amounts for the mountains. Lower elevations east of the Divide will remain below an inch for the most part, due to warm ground temperatures, but areas that start precip later in the evening (generally from South Pass through Casper to Buffalo) could see up to 2 inches mainly before midnight tonight.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 303 AM MDT Sat Mar 14 2026

The day is finally here for the last day for expected high winds across the Cowboy State. That is not to say there still won't be a few days of gusty winds through Wednesday, but 60+ mph winds are not expected from here on out through the next 7 days.

The flow pattern aloft will become more zonal today, as a storm system drops southward over northwestern MT. This will tighten the pressure gradient, with high winds returning to several locations. Windy conditions will be widespread once again, with gusts of 40 to 55 mph impacting much of the CWA. High Wind Warnings remain in effect for much of the forecast area, starting in the Cody Foothills and Hot Springs County this morning and spreading to include most areas east of the Divide and southern portions by 18Z. Expect gusts of 50 to 65 mph in these areas. Snow levels of 6500 to 7000ft are in place across much of the area this morning with snow occurring over northwestern portions. Snow will then increase after sunrise, with periods of moderate to heavy snow possible in the afternoon as the cold front approaches. There will be a convective component adding to the heavier snowfall rates, as CAPE values of 100-200 J/kg will possible ahead of the front. Snowfall amounts have come down slightly, but still expect amounts up to 12 inches over the higher elevations of the Tetons, Gros Ventres, Bighorns and western slopes of the Absarokas. Amounts of 4 to 8 inches expected elsewhere including the Salt River/Wyoming Ranges and YNP. There could even be a thunderstorm over portions of the Jackson/Star Valleys this afternoon, with the added instability. The aforementioned CAPE values is due to how warm conditions are ahead of this strong cold front. There could even be a thunderstorm over southern Sublette/western Sweetwater counties, as rain showers develop over southern portions of the CWA late in the afternoon.

The cold front will begin to push into far northern WY by 21Z, quickly pushing southward and reaching the Divide by 03Z. Precipitation will quickly turn from rain to snow behind the front, as temperatures rapidly drop (Cody looks to drop from 53F to 34F between 21Z and 00Z; Buffalo 48F to 34F). Roads may become icy in these areas in the evening, as snow begins to accumulate. Snowfall amounts east of the Divide have come down, with an 1 to 1.5 inch for Cody, Buffalo and areas along I-25 in Natrona County, including Casper. The rest of the area will have up to 1 inch, at best. The snow tonight east of the Divide looks to occur as snow squalls, as chances occur in a 2 to 4 hour period tonight. The fast progression of the front will allow the more drier aspect of the airmass to take over. So while temperatures will be cold enough for snow, the available moisture will get pushed southward with the front. Winds will begin to decrease across the CWA after 00Z with the approach of the front, but portions of the Bighorn Basin and northern Johnson County (which are prone to post-frontal northerly winds) will have northerly gusts of 45 to 55 mph behind the front through the overnight hours tonight. Winds will be decreasing across the area through the rest of the night, with gusts up to 25 mph still impacting a few areas by sunrise Sunday morning. It will be a raw day for the ides of March, with readings 15 to 35 degrees colder from Saturday leaving daytime highs in the 20s and 30s. North to northwest winds will be in place, with breezy conditions returning to areas west of the Divide. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph will be widespread, including in the western mountains. These cold conditions will be temporary though (it is March after all), as a strong ridge builds over the West Coast Monday irt a strong storm over the eastern half of the CONUS. Temperatures will rebound into the 40s and 50s, with gusty winds returning again. Gusts of 25 to 40 mph will occur again over southern and southwestern portions, as well as portions of Natrona County.

The story from Tuesday onward will be the above normal temperatures as the high center from the ridge moves inland and settles over the Desert Southwest in the form of a 592dm high. This is very anomalous for this time of year and looks to result in highs in the 70s. Highs could reach into the lower 80s for portions east of the Divide by Thursday. Tuesday looks to be another breezy to windy day (wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph), as the ridge will still be well to the west of the region and allow the PFJ to be over the Northern Rockies. This translates to 700mb northwest winds of 25-45kt. This trend looks to go away by Wednesday, as the high center moves over the Desert Southwest. River levels may begin to rise by next Friday, but soil conditions remain very dry and are expected to absorb any extra water.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1030 PM MDT Sat Mar 14 2026

A strong cold front is bringing snow and very low visibilities to many central Wyoming terminals this evening. This can be expected to persist for a few hours as the front moves southward. IFR to LIFR conditions will occur at times as the heavier snow bands move through. Later tonight, snow will move south out of the region, leaving breezy north winds in its wake for Sunday. KCPR will be an exception where snow will linger, and could continue to see periods of MVFR to IFR snowfall into late morning or even early afternoon Sunday, with favorable upslope northerly wind continuing there. Wind-wise, KBPI and KPNA will likely be the breeziest airports in the area on Sunday, with gusts 25 to 30 kt.

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory until 11 PM MDT this evening for WYZ001-002-008-009-012.

High Wind Warning until 11 PM MDT this evening for WYZ026>030.