textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Low humidity and breezy winds will lead to elevated to near critical fire weather conditions across much of central Wyoming this afternoon.

- High pressure will keep warm and mostly dry conditions across the area through Tuesday. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will continue each afternoon.

- A midweek system is expected to return precipitation chances and cooler temperatures to the area through the end of the week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 246 AM MDT Sun Apr 19 2026

Upper level ridging will dominate the forecast for the next few days. Today, the warming trend continues with highs peaking in the mid to upper 60s across most lower elevations. The main weather concern will again be fire weather given the dry environment; relative humidity will drop to around or below 10 percent for much of the area this afternoon. However, lighter wind will play a mitigating factor with gusts on the higher end generally below 25 mph. Still, there will likely be isolated pockets of critical fire weather conditions where wind is maximized, particularly across portions of fire zones 283 and 289.

Warm and dry conditions continue on Monday, with highs peaking another 5 to 10 degrees warmer than today. Wind will be slightly increased as a subtle shortwave to our north induces a weak surface low across northeastern Wyoming. This may lead to the need for fire weather highlights across portions of central Wyoming, though again wind will be the limiting factor for a more widespread event.

The ridge will begin to compress on Tuesday as an upper low over the Pacific begins to push into California. Highs will reach their warmest of this stretch, peaking into the mid/upper 70s west of the Divide and 80s east. An increased southwesterly wind will lead to more widespread elevated to critical fire weather conditions. There will likely be enough moisture and upper jet support for at least isolated convection over western Wyoming Tuesday afternoon, though most of the area will remain dry.

Confidence is increasing for the low to reach Wyoming on Wednesday. If it stays on track, this should return widespread chances for precipitation as it passes over the area through Thursday. However, first up for most of the area will be strong southwesterly wind on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the associated cold front. This period will need to be watched for potential wind or fire weather highlights. Guidance is also suggesting a couple of robust waves trailing along the backside of the main low, perhaps extending cooler and (potentially) wetter conditions through the end of the week. This is corroborated by ensemble cluster guidance currently showing anomalously low 500 mb heights through next weekend. Hopefully this brings much-need moisture to the area, though details at this range are still uncertain.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/

Issued at 455 AM MDT Sun Apr 19 2026

There is high confidence in dry and VFR flight conditions through at least 12Z Monday. Expect winds to be 10kts or less through 18Z. After 18Z, winds generally increase to be in the 10kt to 15kt range through sunset at most terminals. High clouds gradually move in after 00Z Monday.

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.