textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Temperatures rebound to seasonal normals across the entire region Monday before warming several more degrees Tuesday.

- Warm temperatures, low humidity, increasing west wind, and low confidence in rain chances leads to elevated to critical fire conditions through the week.

- The most critical fire weather conditions are likely to occur Tuesday and Wednesday due to low relative humidity of 10 to 15 percent and widespread westerly winds gusting 30 to 45 mph.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 216 AM MDT Mon Jun 15 2026

A warming trend begins today with a northwest flow pattern aloft in place, as the result of a broad upper trough encompassing much of Canada and the central half of the CONUS. Conditions will be dry again today, with highs near 80 degrees returning across the CWA. Wind gusts up to 35 mph will develop over northern Johnson County by 18Z, with gusts up to 25 mph possible after 21Z across the Green River Basin and portions of Natrona County. Fire weather conditions will be elevated to critical today, with RH values of 12 to 18% occurring for most lower elevations areas this afternoon. Wind, or the lack thereof, will be the mitigating factor.

Heights will rise Tuesday within this northwest flow pattern as a subtle ridge builds in from the west. This will lead to high temperatures in the upper 80s to lower 90s in the Wind River and Bighorn Basins and portions of Natrona County. Northwest winds will increase late in the morning, with gusts of 30 to 45 mph expected across much of the CWA between 21Z and 03Z. These winds, combined with RH values below 15% and above normal temperatures, will lead to widespread critical fire weather conditions. A Fire Weather Watch will be issued for portions of Natrona County, due to the critical fuels in this zone for now. Conditions will remain dry, although a couple higher resolution models are progging virga showers/dry thunderstorms over eastern portions of the Bighorn Basin up against the west slopes of the Bighorns and crossing over Johnson County late in the afternoon into the early evening. Confidence remains low for this to occur at this time.

A dry cold front will quickly move through areas east of the Divide late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning, reaching the Divide a few hours after sunrise. This will keep winds north-northeasterly in this area through the day, as well as dropping high temperatures 5 to 15 degrees cooler from Tuesday. Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph will be in place over northern portions in the wake of the front, and southern portions as the front looks to remain stationary along the Divide through the rest of the day.

More seasonal conditions return for Thursday, with winds not being so strong. Gusts up to 25 mph look to be confined over southern portions of the CWA in the afternoon. A ridge looks to build over the region from the west, marking a return for temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Fire weather conditions will be elevated to critical on these days as well, with RH values dropping into the single digits across the south and possibly into central portions.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 434 AM MDT Mon Jun 15 2026

VFR conditions will be in place through the TAF period, with FEW-SCT FL150-250 clouds increasing from the north by 18Z. Winds will be light (11kt or less) through the period as well, having some northerly component. Daytime mixing allows gusty northwest wind 15-23kts to reach the surface at KCPR, KRKS, KBPI, and KPNA after 18Z. These speeds decrease to 8-12kt towards sunset Monday evening, with terminals east of the Continental Divide seeing a northeasterly wind.

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

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 216 AM MDT Mon Jun 15 2026

Elevated to critical fire weather conditions expected through the week this week. Tuesday will be the most critical, with wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph expected across much of the forecast area. Above normal temperatures and widespread critical RH values will coincide with the winds. Thus, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for zone 280 where fuels are critical at this time.

A dry cold front will quickly move over areas east of the Divide late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning, turning winds more northerly in this area. Gusts of 30 to 45 mph will return for northern portions of the forecast area in the wake of the front, while southern portions (zones 277/278/279) also have northwest winds gusting 30 to 45 mph. RH values will be critical across the south, as the front is expected to be stationary along the Divide through the day Wednesday.

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Fire Weather Watch from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening for WYZ280.