textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Light snow showers continue through the overnight hours into Friday morning lingering in the higher elevations the remainder of the afternoon.

- Cooler temperatures closer to seasonable for this time of year through the weekend and early next week with more active weather expected.

- Ridging pattern mid to late next week to bring back dry conditions and warmer temperatures.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 130 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

Upper level low continues to spin to the north along the MT/Canada border with a multitude of shortwaves to come through early next week. A pretty flattened bottom of the low for the state Friday into Saturday that will see mainly higher elevation snow during this time with little to no impacts expected (outside of the mountain passes). Light snow in the lower basins east of the Divide continue through Friday morning as the "heavier" bands continue to weaken with its eastward progression. This will be out of the CWA by sunrise to mid morning with any lingering snow contained to the higher elevations for the northern half of the state. Otherwise, winds have weakened behind FROPA with cooler, more seasonable temperatures to be had Friday and into the weekend.

The longwave pattern looks to deepen the aforementioned upper low come Saturday night into Sunday elongating in the process due to increased divergence aloft. This will bring a more southwest upper level flow that will be more favorable to lower elevations east of the Divide outside the upper Wind River Basin blocked more by downslope. This will begin a series of more substantial precipitation amounts to affect much of the CWA but details are uncertain at this time with timing as well. Regardless, the "cooler" atmosphere will continue to be closer to seasonable for the end of April as the upper level low finally begins a more progressive eastward progression by mid next week. This will allow for upper level ridging to build in from the west by week's end that will bring a dry and warming trend by the following weekend. The uncertainty with the Sunday through Tuesday forecast comes with whether or not the base of the aforemntioned trough stays as an open wave or not with the main low circulation remaining to the north. This will allow it to be more progressive and less of an overall impact, albeit still seeing good amounts of moisture to filter through the area from the Pacific Californian Coast. Stay tuned for updated forecasts in the coming days but for now, expect a cooler, more active pattern to continue in some fashion over the next several days.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 955 PM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

West of the Divide...KJAC/KRKS/KPNA/KBPI Terminals

Snow showers, with IFR/MVFR conditions are expected to end at KJAC shortly after the start of the TAF period. Similar showers with MVFR conditions are expected to reach KBPI/KPNA by the start of the forecast, but will end by 08Z. Additional snow showers with IFR/MVFR conditions will redevelop at KJAC around 09Z and continue through around 18Z. There is a chance for LIFR conditions at times between 10Z and 14Z. Snow will redevelop at KBPI/KPNA between 12Z and 16Z as well, with IFR/MVFR conditions.

KRKS remains well away from any precip, with only midlevel clouds varying through the next 24 hours. Winds will begin to increase by 15Z, with frequent gusts reaching 40kt by 20Z.

Wind and snow will end across the area after 01Z.

East of the Divide...KCPR/KCOD/KRIW/KLND/KWRL Terminals

A band of snow continues to slowly drift southward over the Wind River Basin, with any snow ending at KRIW/KLND by 08Z. Snow showers developed over KCPR earlier this evening and will continue through 10Z. IFR to MVFR conditions will occur with the snow, with KCPR having the worse conditions. There is a chance for VLIFR/LIFR conditions to occur at times through 10Z.

Snow will redevelop after 11Z, with KCOD being the main terminal impacted. MVFR to IFR conditions will occur with the snow. Have included a PROB30 group for KCPR due to the showery nature of the snow through the afternoon.

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

None.