textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Lingering light showers decrease across the Bighorn Range this morning, otherwise decreasing clouds today.

- Temperatures today will be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Saturday, but will still reach 10 degrees above normal highs for early spring.

- Very warm temperatures return for early to middle next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 201 AM MDT Sun Mar 22 2026

Today will see a bit of a reprieve in the unprecedented early spring heat, as a weak cold front has pushed across central Wyoming. Some gusty north winds have brought cooler temperatures into the state, but these temperatures are still well above normal for mid-March. Highs today will "only" be in the 50s and 60s, about 10 degrees above normal. The front has brought some light precip to the Bighorn Range, but any accumulations have been negligible. As this front washes out this afternoon, west to southwest winds return, and with ridging building back in, temperatures will start to increase back into the 60s and 70s into the middle of this week. The ridge will be slightly farther south, so the extreme heat will be held back, and this will also open the door for some precip to move back into the northwest mountain ranges and the Parks. Temperatures look warm enough to produce light rain during the day and light snow during the overnight hours. Moisture with this impulse looks very limited, so overall accumulations remain minimal.

Another weather system approaches on Wednesday. Ahead of this system, winds are expected to increase considerably. This along with very dry air will bring another threat for fire weather across most of the state Wednesday afternoon.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1030 PM MDT Sat Mar 21 2026

VFR conditions expected throughout the period at all TAF sites. Some low clouds at COD/CPR/WRL overnight with the passing system to the northeast but remaining VFR. Any shower activity will be limited to the higher elevations of the Absarokas and Bighorns. Otherwise, winds have diminished post FROPA to 10kts or less for the overnight hours remaining so through much of Sunday. However, a slight gust up to 18kts at COD/RKS with daytime heating of the afternoon with drainage for COD and the LLJ for RKS. These will diminish towards sunset after 00-01Z with all TAF sites 10kts or less at this point towards the end of the period and overnight into Monday.

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

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.