textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Air Quality Alerts have once again been issued for nearly all locations east of the Divide due to lingering dense smoke from wildfires.

- Wildfire smoke is expected to persist across the region through at least the next few days.

- An isolated shower or two cannot be ruled out (5-10%) across the northern Absarokas and Bighorns this afternoon and evening.

- Unseasonably warm temperatures gradually return for the second half of the week with little to no chances for precipitation.

UPDATE

Issued at 1121 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026

Air Quality Alerts have been reissued across nearly all locations east of the Divide through Wednesday at 11 AM. Wildfire smoke is likely to persist over the next few days with the exact degree of air quality and visibility impacts still uncertain. Otherwise, another day of cooler than normal temperatures across the Cowboy State. Highs are forecast to get into the upper 70s and low 80s with warming expected to occur gradually into the weekend. Precipitation chances look very limited with a non-zero chance for an isolated shower across the higher elevations of northern WY this afternoon/evening. The remainder of the week into the weekend is looking mostly unchanged with warm temperatures returning and little to no chances for precipitation.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 100 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026

WV imagery continues to see the upper level low to the northeast now into Canada with positively tilted troughing stretching to the southeast across the northern Rockies. IR shows clears skies with nothing of note on radar for the CWA. Relatively light winds into Tuesday with areas of smoke continuing through much of the day until the aforementioned low pushes further east and high pressure builds back in from the south. On the backside of this upper level low, a few sporadic showers possible (10-15%) for the northern Absarokas and Bighorns, aided by terrain induced development for the late afternoon and early evening hours. No impacts expected with little to no accumulation before quickly pushing east and dying off before sunset and into the overnight hours Tuesday. Temperatures similar to Monday afternoon remaining on the cooler side relative to the weekend and last week.

Beyond Tuesday, expect dry conditions a warming trend through the remainder of the work week and into the weekend. Northwest flow continues across the state as the main high to the south builds in with increasing convergence aloft. As the upper level flow weakens by Thursday and Friday, temperatures push back above average 15 to 20 degrees. Widespread 80s west of the Divide and 90s to possible triple digits once again for portions east of the Divide. Heat and dry conditions extend into the weekend and early next week. Fire weather conditions will only remain elevated during this time with no stronger winds expected as the low level flow weakens as well with a degraded pressure gradient across much of the state. Smoke conditions will improve Wednesday onward as well, with the high pressure building in from the south and aforementioned low well to the east by this point.

Upper level ridging continues but becomes more zonal by early next week as a trough extends across the Pacific northwest. This will give some possible better chances of precipitation next week with not so hot temperatures as well, but still above average with no significant weather pattern change on the horizon otherwise.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1120 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026

There is high confidence in dry weather throughout the entire TAF period. Breezy winds with gusts around 20kts to 25kts are expected after 20Z at KRKS, KBPI, and KPNA before diminishing by 03Z/04Z. Breezy north to northeast winds are anticipated at KRIW and KCPR for a few hours after sunset Tuesday. Winds at all other terminals remain 11kts or less. Smokey skies are expected across the entire state. Periods of MVFR visibilities due to smoke/haze are forecast at KJAC and KRKS, with lesser confidence in MVFR visibilities at all other terminals.

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

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Air Quality Alert until 11 AM MDT Wednesday for WYZ001>011- 016>020-022.