textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Light winds, cloudy skies, and cooler temperatures today with highs west of the Divide in the 30s and east of the Divide in the 40s.

- Widespread precipitation chances (40%-90%+) west of the Continental Divide after 5PM today through most of Wednesday. Snow accumulations of 4 to 12 inches across the Tetons and Gros Ventre Mountains, the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges, and the western Wind River Range during this timeframe.

- A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 5PM Tuesday until 5PM Wednesday for the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains, where winter travel conditions over Teton Pass are expected.

- Near to above normal temperatures Thursday through Sunday with a few chances for light mountain snow.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 136 AM MST Tue Feb 10 2026

The cold front that brought snow to western Wyoming on Monday is now well south of the state, leaving temperatures 10 to 20 degrees cooler compared to this time (1:30AM) on Monday. Weak height rises aloft, with an embedded weak disturbance, spread across the state south to north today with the main impact being increased cloud cover. Light winds and cloud cover will limit the amount of warming from the sun so expect widespread cooler temperatures today. Today's highs are forecast to be in the 30s west of the Divide and 40s east of the Divide. A light flurry or drizzle cannot be completely ruled out this afternoon across southwestern portions, however, chances are less than 10% due to weak support aloft.

There is good consensus that a more potent shortwave will approach the state from the south and support a warm front moving into the state beginning late this evening. Moisture rich southwesterly flow behind the front will bring the next chances for widespread precipitation west of the Divide tonight and Wednesday. Precipitation with this system will largely be another "mountain snow show" for the Tetons and Gros Ventre Mountains, the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges, and the western Wind River Range. Strong warm air advection, favorable orographics, and the proximity to the left exit region of an upper-level jet will allow for the aforementioned mountain ranges to see anywhere from 4 to 12 inches late tonight through Wednesday night. Low elevations will likely see rain, snow, or a rain/snow mix during this period. Where snow falls, a trace up to 3 inches are possible. No highlights have been issued for the Salt and Wyoming Ranges and the western Wind River Mountains due to impactful snowfall amounts (6 to 12 inches) falling in not widely traveled areas. Salt River Pass has a 40% chance of seeing snow amounts above 4 inches, so we were comfortable not issuing highlights at this time. It is a different story for the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued from 5PM Tuesday through 5PM Wednesday for the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains for snow amounts of 6 to 12 inches, with the highest peaks potentially seeing more. Winter travel conditions are expected across Teton Pass with a 95% chance of at least 6 inches and a 70% chance of at least 8 inches of snow by Wednesday evening, so felt more than comfortable issuing the Advisory. Winter travel conditions are possible across Togwotee Pass with an interquartile snow range of 3 to 5 inches. The most likely period of more moderate snowfall rates of 0.5 inch/hour to 1 inch/hour, especially across the Tetons and Teton Pass, is Wednesday 5AM to 5PM. This 12 hour period is when overall dynamics (WWA and upper level divergence) will be maximized.

Deep available moisture will largely be cut off by an upper-level low over California Wednesday evening. However, lingering light mountain snow and low elevation rain, snow, or rain/snow mix is possible (30% to 60%) through Thursday evening across far southern Wyoming and the western mountains. Ensemble guidance is in consensus that the upper-level California low and associated trough will eject eastwards on Friday, cutting off nearly all moisture across Wyoming. This means that Friday and much of Saturday will remain largely dry. Zonal flow with embedded disturbances and some Pacific moisture looks to return to as early as Saturday evening. If this comes to fruition, snow chances (40%-60%) exist for northwestern portions Saturday evening and Sunday. Details are far from clear this early out but the chances for more western mountain snow are there!

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 940 PM MST Mon Feb 9 2026

Snow continues to wane this evening with a few lingering showers over the Bighorn Basin and Natrona County. This activity is expected to end shortly after the start of the forecast. Any lingering MVFR/IFR conditions at KJAC and KCOD is expected to improve to VFR by 07Z. There is a 10 to 20% chance for MVFR conditions after 06Z and this is reflected in the TAF.

Dry and VFR conditions, with light winds (11kt or less) are expected through most of the forecast period. SCT-OVC FL120-200 will be in place across much of the forecast area through the day Tuesday. Ceilings will lower, FL050-080, over southern portions by 18Z, gradually pushing northward through the afternoon. MVFR ceilings will develop over KBPI/KPNA by the end of the TAF period, with mountain obscurations over the Salt River/Wyoming Ranges and the Wind River Mountains. Snow will coincide with these lower clouds as well. Snow reaching the KBPI, KPNA and KJAC terminals will likely occur in the next forecast.

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

Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 5 PM MST Wednesday for WYZ012.