textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Hot, well above-normal temperatures continue today and Tuesday. Highs will peak in the 95 to 105 degree range for most locations. The Extreme Heat Warning will continue through 9 PM Tuesday.

- Virga showers will lead to isolated strong wind gusts this afternoon. However, most of the area will see a lighter wind today.

- Temperatures trend down slightly beginning Wednesday, with shower and thunderstorm chances increasing through the end of the week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 350 AM MDT Mon Jul 13 2026

A day after several all-time record highs were broken, today will not bring much relief. The center of the dominating high pressure system has now shifted farther east. This will allow slightly cooler air to work its way south into Wyoming today, already noted with a northerly breeze across the northern Bighorn Basin early this morning. While this will bring highs down by 5 to 10 degrees across northern Wyoming...that still puts nearly all lower elevations in the 95 to 105 degree range today. Elevated moisture will increase slightly, leading to more cumulus clouds and virga, especially across the western half of the state. With large temp/dewpoint depressions at the surface (60-70 degrees), virga will carry a strong but isolated wind threat this afternoon. The lack of a more widespread breeze will be the limiting factor on fire weather conditions today; while humidity will drop into the single digits for much of the area, generally lighter wind precludes the issuance of any fire weather hazards.

Tuesday will bring very similar conditions, with temperatures again peaking in the 95 to 105 degree range, perhaps slightly higher again across the Bighorn Basin as heights rise subtly. Convection coverage will ramp up a little further as moisture increases, again mostly of the virga form. The hot temperatures will remain the primary weather impact; the Extreme Heat Warning will continue through sunset Tuesday.

The ridge is expected to shift farther east on Wednesday. This should allow for increasing monsoonal moisture advection and an uptick in convection, especially as shortwaves progress through the flow over the area. Temperatures will decrease in response, though only marginally - high are still expected to be in the 90s to low 100s across the lower elevations. Moisture advection will be further amplified on Thursday and Friday as PWAT values approach one inch. Accordingly, rain chances will increase across the area beginning Wednesday, with Thursday appearing most favorable for widespread shower and thunderstorm coverage at the moment.

Ensemble cluster guidance continues to favor anomalously high 500mb heights through the weekend. While this would not bring any big pattern changes, additional smaller disturbances and continued monsoonal moisture is likely to lead to more rain chances across the area.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 446 AM MDT Mon Jul 13 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the period as high pressure persists across the region. This will lead to another day of hot temperatures at the surface. There will likely be increased cumulus and virga coverage today, with a few rain showers mainly over the mountains. Wind will generally be lighter, though isolated stronger gusts from virga is expected this afternoon.

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

Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM MDT Tuesday for WYZ003>006-010- 011-013-016>020-023-025>030.