textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Scattered snow showers continue to spread south through the morning hours this Sunday. Little to no snow accumulation is expected as a result of these showers.

- Breezy winds develop this afternoon and will continue through the overnight into early Monday morning.

- Cold temperatures persist over the state today with breezy winds leading to some raw conditions through Monday morning, especially across parts of Johnson and Natrona Counties.

- Mild and mainly dry conditions make a return for Monday and are likely to persist through much of the upcoming week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 116 AM MST Sun Jan 25 2026

After nearly a year, many location across the Cowboy State finally saw temperatures drop below zero. Locations such as Riverton saw Saturday morning lows hit -10F tying the previous low temperature record for the day from 2008. It is truly quite refreshing to see low temperature records instead of record highs that we have seen frequently across the state over the past two months. Unfortunately the brief period of cold temperatures looks to be coming to an end.

The brief taste of winter thats returned to the area over the past few days will persist for Sunday. Temperatures this morning remain on the chilly side ranging from the single digits to below zero. A nearing weak shortwave will hinder further cooling as cloud cover in association with snow showers have begun to move into northern WY as of 0100 MST. Showers will continue to spread south through the morning with much of northern and central WY having a 20-50% chance for a snow shower or two. Showers dissipate by the late morning hours with skies gradually clearing through the remainder of the day. Impacts as a result of these showers will be minimal with lower elevations seeing snow accumulations ranging from a coating to possibly an inch. Higher elevations of western and central WY may see slightly higher amounts ranging from an inch to potentially 3 inches. Temperatures today remain below normal with highs in the single digits in portions of Natrona and Johnson Counties. Other locations see highs in the teens to low twenties with some slightly warmer locations across southern WY where winds look to increase this afternoon. As just mentioned, winds increase this afternoon becoming breezy especially over southern and southwestern WY, where winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts around 30 mph will be possible. A light breeze will develop over other parts of the state with speeds around 15 mph and gusts near 20 to 25 mph. These breezy winds persist into the overnight which will hinder temperatures from cooling. That being said Sunday night into Monday morning will feel quite raw with apparent temperatures ranging from -10 to -20 across most of the state. One area to monitor is Natrona and Johnson Counties where stronger winds of 15 to 25 mph look to linger through the overnight. These winds combined with cold temperatures would lead to feels like temperatures of -20 to possibly -30 in some locations. This would be borderline Cold Weather Advisory criteria but at this time no highlights will be issued. The coldest temperatures look to occur early in the morning on Monday with gradual warming expected closer to sunrise. Lows may still get below zero for parts of the state before warming occurs especially in parts of Johnson and Natrona Counties. This warming is due to 700 mb temperatures making their way into the region with breezy winds likely allowing for these warmer temperatures to mix to the surface. That being said, colder 700 mb temperatures are likely to linger over portions of western WY as a result of lighter winds, leading to the cold prevailing through the overnight.

That concludes the free trial of a normal WY winter, as mild and dry conditions quickly return for the upcoming week. Monday sees a day and night difference in temperatures compared to Sunday. Highs on Monday are forecast to be nearly 25 to 35 degrees warmer with temperatures returning to the 30s to low 40s. The all too familiar potent ridging that has hindered a normal winter across the region, reasserts itself over the western CONUS. This ridging is expected to persist through much of the upcoming week keeping conditions mainly mild and dry. Models do try to show some weak disturbances work their way near the area but ridging looks to hinder any further development or intensification. As a result mild temperatures and dry conditions are likely to prevail through the end of January. As for the start of February no pattern change looks to be within sight with ridging likely to persist.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/

Issued at 955 PM MST Sat Jan 24 2026

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

A cold front approaches the area from the north overnight and will bring clouds, mountain obscurations, light snow, and reduced flight conditions. Confidence is highest that KJAC will see MVFR flight conditions overnight with improvement in the morning on Sunday (14Z-16Z). There is a 30% chance of snow at KPNA and these chances are reflected in a PROB30 group. There is a 10-20% chance of snow and reduced flight conditions at KRKS and KBPI but given the lower chances there is just a VCSH in KRKS. However, occasional instances of MVFR ceilings cannot be completely ruled out at these two terminals. Winds become gusty (around 30 kts) before 26/18Z and for the rest of the afternoon at KRKS, KBPI, and KPNA which should help scatter any lower clouds out on the backside of the trough passage. Skies will then be mostly clear Sunday night.

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

A cold front is still on track to approach the area from the north early in the TAF period, bringing mountain obscurations, snow chances, and reduced flight conditions to KCOD and KWRL first. Have adjusted the timing of the previous forecast back by 1-2 hours per observations and latest guidance. Impacts and MVFR flight conditions will most likely begin around 08Z-09Z. There is uncertainty as to when a heavier period of snow will begin at KCOD, and this is reflected in a PROB30 group. KCPR should begin to see snow and the potential for reduced flight conditions after 12Z. There is a 30% chance of light snow at KRIW and KLND. However, at KRIW and KLND there is high enough confidence (around 50%) for MVFR ceilings with and behind the front. Otherwise, winds will be somewhat breezy with some gusts over 15 kts all sites east of the divide terminals. Skies will become mostly clear from the northwest to the southeast from mid-afternoon into the mid-evening hours, with KLND and KCPR being the later sites.

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.