textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- A warm and dry day with breezy conditions for some. Elevated fire weather is likely (greater than a 3 out of 4 chance) from Rock Springs through Casper.

- Somewhat cooler and breezy for some on Saturday as a cold front moves through areas East of the Divide.

- Above normal temperatures continue from Sunday through most of next week with minimal chances for showers. Elevated to possibly critical fire weather will be possible on some days.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 203 AM MDT Fri Oct 2 2026

Today is a day that makes me feel a old (I am, I freely admit it). This is the anniversary of my first operational meteorology job, at a private weather company in Pennsylvania back in 2000. That's right, 26 years ago. It seems like yesterday. And the reason I am mentioning this is because the weather today will be similar to that day many years ago.

Back on that early fall day, it was a nice day, with a cool morning, a warm afternoon and a sunny to partly cloudy sky. And, with high pressure will continue to control the weather across the area and bring a warm and dry day. Some of the warmer spots, like Greybull, Worland and even Casper could make a run at 80. But, there will be one thing we didn't have on that day back in 2000. A dry cold front will be approaching the area from the north. This will tighten the pressure gradient somewhat and bring southwesterly breezes, especially in the favored wind corridor from east of Rock Springs through Casper. Most of this area has a greater than 4 out of 5 chance of wind gusts over 30 mph this afternoon. This will raise some fire weather concerns. However, humidity remains borderline. The NBM ensemble mean low humidity generally remains between 16 and 20 percent across this area, and would likely not be for 3 hours. So, we will not issue any fire weather highlights. We will message elevated fire weather across the breeziest areas across the favored area though.

The front will move through portions of the area tonight and tomorrow, with similar conditions as today. The cold advection and northwest flow pattern will bring some gusty breezes to the northern Bighorn Basin and especially northern Johnson County, with gusts past 30 mph. Fire weather concerns should decrease on this day though. Cooler temperatures and somewhat higher humidity should keep critical fire weather conditions away from northern Wyoming. Further south, wind will be lighter. Temperatures will drop about 5 to 10 degrees on Saturday when compared to today East of the Divide, with areas West of the Divide having similar highs. Sunday looks like a nice day with above normal temperatures and a light to moderate wind.

A shortwave moving in from the west will bring the only chance of showers on Monday or Tuesday, but the chance is low with a capital L right now. There continues to be some differences in guidance in placement of the showers and timing of the wave though. With downsloping southwest flow ahead of the system, Monday will likely be quite warm, with some many locations East of the Divide seeing high temperatures in the lower and even middle 80s. Much of next week still looks have mainly dry, zonal flow across the area with flat ridging over the area. This means above normal temperatures and breezy conditions at times. The main concern next week looks to be elevated to possibly critical fire weather, but confidence in pinpointing a more concerning day remains low at this time. And for those looking for cooler weather and possibly snow, you will likely be waiting for a while longer.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 414 AM MDT Fri Oct 2 2026

VFR conditions will continue at all TAF sites through 12Z Saturday with only some passing high clouds. A southwest wind will increase this afternoon at many TAF sites, with the strongest wind in vicinity of KRKS and KCPR where gusts to 25 knots will be likely. Most wind decreases after sunset as the atmosphere decouples, but a gusty drainage wind may persist in vicinity of KRIW through the night.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 203 AM MDT Fri Oct 2 2026

A weak cold front moving toward Wyoming will bring a gusty breeze this afternoon from Rock Springs through Casper as well as in the Lee of the Absarokas. With humidity falling into the upper teens, elevated fire weather is likely this afternoon in these locations. Cooler temperatures and somewhat higher humidity should improve conditions on Saturday.

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.