textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Hot, dry, and breezy conditions will persist through Tuesday and result in widespread near-critical to critical fire weather conditions.

- Virga showers and dry thunderstorms will develop early in the afternoon over central and southern portions of the forecast area. Gusty 40 to 55 mph outflows and lightning are the primary threats.

- Wildfire smoke is expected to remain present across the state, especially the northern half of Wyoming, through at least Tuesday. This will continue to bring reduced visibilities and poor air quality.

- Increased rain chances (50% to 80%) and cooler temperatures look to arrive by Wednesday and continue into the weekend.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 224 AM MDT Mon Aug 10 2026

The Four Corners high will remain in place, along with a zonal flow pattern over the Cowboy State today. Similar conditions from Sunday will return across the area with temperatures remaining above normal and critical fire weather conditions in place. Westerly winds, with gusts of 25 to 35 mph, will increase after 18Z across much of the CWA. The notable exception will be most areas of the Bighorn Basin, where winds will struggle to gust up to 20 mph. Virga showers/dry thunderstorms will also develop over the southern half of the forecast area early in the afternoon, with the Wind River Mountains, the northern end of the Salt River/Wyoming Ranges and the western half of Sweetwater County having the best chances for a shower or storm. Wind gusts up to 55 mph will be possible due to large dewpoint depressions that will be in place once again this afternoon. Most of the convection will end across the area by sunset. Red Flag Warnings have been reissued for areas east of the Divide and southern portions of the CWA from 18Z to 03Z Tuesday (12PM to 9PM) due to aforementioned critical RH values, gusty winds and dry thunderstorms. Skies will remain hazy from smoke will continue today, especially over northern portions.

Another day of hot and dry conditions return Tuesday. Highs in the middle 90s will occur again for most areas east of the Divide and upper 80s/lower 90s west of the Divide. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph will occur again, but are not expected to be as widespread. Red Flag Warnings will likely only be needed for a few zones as a result. Needless to say, the hazy/smoky skies will continue across the area as well.

The pattern will begin to shift Wednesday, as the Four Corners high weakens and erodes and the flow aloft over the Cowboy State turns more southwesterly irt an approaching trough. Precipitable water values will increase through the day as a result, with values approaching 1". This won't be as strong as the surge of monsoonal moisture that occurred a few weeks ago in July, but the threat for locally heavy rain/localized flash flooding will certainly be in place. Convection looks to be rather isolated so far, but temperatures will be slightly cooler from increased cloud cover and a weak cold front. This trend continues into Thursday, with temperatures dropping into the 70s to near 80 degrees. Thursday also looks to be the best chance for widespread precipitation, especially across western portions of the state, as the trough moves over ID. The cooler conditions continue Friday, as the trough exits over the Northern Plains. Convection will be more widely scattered as weak shortwaves move over the area through the continued southwest flow aloft. The threat for locally heavy rain will also continue as the monsoonal moisture stays in place. This trend will continue through the weekend, as shortwaves continue to rotate over the region from the southwest.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 1102 AM MDT Mon Aug 10 2026

VFR conditions should prevail through the period, with the exception of wildfire smoke, which could bring visibilities down to about 5SM at times. The worst smoke is expected across northern Wyoming, impacting KCOD and KWRL the most. Smoke will be least impactful further south (but still present), like for KRKS. Isolated dry showers and thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon, with PROB30 groups at various sites. Best chances are around KRKS. Gusty outflow winds 40 to 60 knots are possible with any shower or storm. Chances are too low to include at KJAC, which are about 20 percent between 20z and 23z. Otherwise, hot temperatures remain, with highs about 90 degrees or warmer for all sites.

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

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 224 AM MDT Mon Aug 10 2026

Red Flag Warnings have been reissued for zones in central and southern portions of the state. Hot temperatures, critical RH values and gusty winds will return to these areas, along with chances for dry thunderstorms. Outflow wind gusts up to 55 mph will be possible from any shower or thunderstorm due to the dry conditions. Similar conditions return Tuesday and Warnings may be needed again, but not all zones will reach criteria. Winds do not look to be as widespread with no threat for dry thunderstorms.

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Air Quality Alert until noon MDT today for WYZ001>020-022>030.

Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for WYZ277>281- 283-285>287-289-300.