textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Temperatures continue at 20 to 30 degrees above normal today and Sunday.

- A weak passing shortwave will bring gusty west to northwest winds for parts of central and southern Wyoming this afternoon. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph can be expected.

- Ridge finally breaks late this weekend, opening the door to Pacific moisture and improved chances for snow for most of the upcoming week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 214 AM MST Sat Feb 7 2026

A couple more days of near-record highs with the dominant H5 ridge, but the end is in sight. Today will see another day of highs well into the 40s for western valleys, mid 50s for southern WY, and low to mid 60s for lower elevations east of the Divide, with several record highs in jeopardy. A weak shortwave passing to the north will not have much impact across the state. The main thing of notice will be increased cloud cover and gusty winds for higher elevations, and from KRKS to KCPR this afternoon. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph will be common. Sunday will be another warm day, with highs similar to today. Winds will again be gusty for higher elevations and from KRKS to KCPR.

Starting Monday, the more active pattern will pick up as the H5 ridge finally breaks down, initially bringing a quicker zonal pattern. Initially, Moisture will sweep into the western mountains, bringing some light orographic snowfall Monday morning. As a larger trough develops to the west, impulses wrapping around it will try to sweep into the northern Rockies, enhancing snowfall. Timing and placement of these smaller features has been difficult, and changes on a daily basis. Confidence remains high that there will be some snow spreading east of the divide into next week, but timing and location will stay held back until models better resolve these features and their interactions with local features. This breakdown of the ridge will also bring colder temperatures next week, with highs closer to normal but still reaching the 20s and 30s for western valleys and lower 40s to the east.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 332 AM MST Sat Feb 7 2026

VFR conditions are expected through 12Z Sunday. A weak disturbance will bring a gusty wind at times in vicinity of KCOD, KCPR, KRIW and KRKS at times today, with gusts to 25 knots or night possible at times. Other terminals will see wind generally 11 knots or less.

There continues to be a less than 1 out of 5 chance of a shower in vicinity of KCOD, so we have maintained the VCSH as a result. Otherwise, dry conditions are expected across the area.

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.