textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Light snow will continue east of the Divide and across the western mountains through this morning. Additional accumulations are expected to be minor after sunrise.

- Much colder temperatures are expected through Friday, with lows dropping to around or below zero for most locations.

- Friday brings chances for light snow across southern Wyoming (20-30%) and western Wyoming (30-50%).

- After a dry weekend with moderating temperatures, the next system is favored to arrive early next week. This will return snow chances to western Wyoming.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 321 AM MST Thu Feb 19 2026

We are now on the back half of the system that has (finally) brought widespread snow to Wyoming. Radar, satellite, and webcam imagery show snow is now mostly focused east of the Continental Divide as the system begins to pull away. Observed winds currently show a surface circulation centered across Fremont and Natrona counties; these areas will be most favored to see another inch or two of snow through sunrise, especially across the upslope-favored Casper area. Snow will linger through the rest of the morning though it will decrease after sunrise. A trailing shortwave will also keep light snow going across the mountains of western Wyoming, though moisture is limited and additional accumulation is expected to be minor.

Much colder temperatures are expected today behind the system, with highs peaking in the teens and 20s. Lows will drop to around or below zero for most of the area tonight, though there is some uncertainty on cloud cover which could lead to large temperature fluctuations in either direction. Given the fresh snow for most, overnight temperatures may need to be lowered a little more if cloud coverage decreases further. Southern Wyoming will see just enough of a cloud increase from a system passing over the Four Corners area to stay about 10 degrees warmer. This will bring a low chance (20-30%) of a quick round of snow to southern Lincoln County and Sweetwater County Friday, though moisture is limited and most of the snow is expected to remain in Colorado. Still, a northern shift in the passing system could lead to some travel impacts along the I- 80 Corridor Friday.

Separately, another shortwave and modest moisture advection will bring a quick round of snow to the western Wyoming mountains Friday afternoon and evening. Currently, forecast accumulations with this feature are expected to remain light, generally only an inch or two.

Temperatures will moderate through the weekend with no additional precipitation as ridging returns. This will begin to break down early next week as the next system approaches. As it stands now, this would be focused on western Wyoming beginning in the Monday night through Tuesday timeframe with the arrival of Pacific moisture within southwesterly low-level flow. LREF precipitable water values are currently forecast to peak around the 95th percentile across western Wyoming, potentially contributing to a more significant snow event. Confidence for precipitation farther east is lower. Regardless, after a quick reprieve this weekend, guidance favors a return to a more active pattern through next week.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 336 AM MST Thu Feb 19 2026

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

Snow has ended for most of the TAF sites at this time. A weak weather system may bring a few showers in vicinity of KJAC through the morning but not enough confidence to prevail. Low VFR conditions expected still with low ceilings for much of the period before lifting to the mid levels by 00Z Thursday evening. Wind should decrease through the day except at KRKS where gusts to 25 knots will remain possible through the day before decreasing after sunset as wind decouples. All other TAF sites expected to be 10kts or less. Low stratus/fog possible around KJAC with the recent snow but have only gone with vicinity at this time.

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

Snow will gradually end across all TAF sites by around 16Z this morning. KCOD and KWRL will see the snow end first, with snow ending last in vicinity of KCPR. Wind has decreased at most TAF sites today and all locations should see 11 knots or less through most of the period. MVFR/IFR conditions will continue at most TAF sites through around 15Z with gradual improvement to IFR, with KCPR the last around 22Z this afternoon. Low clouds and patchy fog are possible after 05Z tonight but not enough confidence to pinpoint at this time,.

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

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning for WYZ003>010-017>019-022.

Winter Storm Warning until 11 AM MST this morning for WYZ011- 020.