textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Mild, dry, and breezy conditions continue across much of the state today.

- Isolated light snow showers cannot be ruled out across the higher elevations of northern WY late this afternoon and evening.

- Warm temperatures and dry conditions build in over the state and persist through the weekend. Highs look to be nearly 15 to 25 degrees above normal.

- February currently looks to start off similarly to how most of December and January have gone, with dry conditions and warm above normal temperatures prevailing.

UPDATE

Issued at 103 PM MST Fri Jan 30 2026

Not much to update here in the short term, with riding in place. The next wave is beginning to sweep north of WY, bringing increased cloud cover for the western mountains and gusty winds across southern WY as expected. Still only expecting very light snow for the western mountains and Bighorns tonight, with total accumulations no higher than one inch.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 132 AM MST Fri Jan 30 2026

The last Friday of January will be mild with mostly dry conditions across the Cowboy State. High pressure continues to influence the region keeping much of the area dry. Highs today continue to warm with temperatures east of the Divide getting into the mid to upper 40s and west of the Divide seeing temperatures in the mid to upper 30s. Breezy winds develop along the wind corridor from Casper to Rock Springs along with the upper Wind River Basin and Cody Foothills this afternoon, as a result of a nearing disturbance. The bulk of the energy associated with this disturbance will stay to the north of the state. However, parts of northern WY, mainly the higher elevations may see a few isolated showers as the disturbances passes by. That being said, chances for a shower in the lower elevations of northern WY are non zero, so a very isolated shower cannot be ruled out. The disturbances moves out of the area by Saturday with breezy winds increasing further in speed and coverage. Snow accumulations across the higher elevations of northern WY by Saturday look very minimal with most locations seeing a coating to at most an inch or two.

High pressure will keep the coldest air out of the area for Saturday leading to further warming. Increasing winds as a result of the nearby disturbance should help enhance warming as well. Winds as mentioned earlier increase in coverage and speed for Saturday. The breeziest locations are forecast along the wind corridor from Casper to Rock Springs, as well as the upper Wind River Basin, Cody Foothills and parts of Johnson County. Speeds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 35 will be common in these locations. Temperatures are forecast to be more warm than mild, as highs look to be 15 to 25 degrees above normal. Highs will be the warmest east of the Divide with temperatures in the low to mid 50s with western locations seeing seeing values in the mid to upper 40s. Sunday is forecast to be much of the same with temperatures only being a few degrees warmer and winds slightly weaker.

The first Monday of February will see the high pressure suppressed south leading to the brief development of zonal flow. This flow will be very short lived as a very potent area of high pressure begins to push onshore over the western CONUS. As a result, temperatures will be slightly cooler for the start of the week. Models indicate a few very unorganized weak shortwaves trek nearby the area Monday through Tuesday. At this time, precipitation chances look very slim with the higher elevations of northern WY having the best chances, which only look to be around 10-20%. The more noteworthy impacts of these shortwaves would be increased winds across much of the state. While winds do not look all too concerning at this time, breezy conditions do look likely Monday and Tuesday for most locations. Wednesday through the remainder of the week will see this very potent high pressure assert itself over the western CONUS. This will lead to dry conditions prevailing with little to no chances for precipitation. Temperatures begin to warm back up starting Wednesday with highs reaching the mid to upper 50s east of the Divide and nearing 50 west of the Divide. One aspect to monitor over the next few days will be how long this high pressure can remain in control and dominate across the region. If patterns from earlier this winter are any indication it may stay in place for quite some time. However, confidence is very low especially being more than a week out, so it will be a waiting game to see what occurs. Some sort of drastic change in the pattern will need to occur for wetter and cooler weather to return. Otherwise, the start of February is looking a lot like how much of December and January have been, which is dry with well above normal temperatures.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1028 AM MST Fri Jan 30 2026

VFR flight conditions are forecast to persist throughout the TAF period with northwesterly flow aloft. A weak system approaches Wyoming Friday afternoon and brings increased mid-level clouds. In addition to the cloud cover, very low light snow chances (less than 20%) exist at KJAC and KCOD after 01Z. However, the most likely scenario is that the surrounding mountains will see light snow so opted for a VCSH at this time. Anticipate occasional mountain top obscurations at KJAC and KCOD with any light snow showers over the mountains. Brief instances of MVFR ceilings cannot be ruled out at KJAC (20%-30%) from 01Z-11Z and these chances are reflected in a SCT030 group.

KCPR, KCOD, and KRKS can expect gusty west to southwesterly winds much of the period with gusts up to 30kts possible as the weak system moves through. Breezy, 15kt winds are forecast through sunset at KPNA. Relatively light winds are forecast at all other terminals.

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.