textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- A few degrees warmer today. A breezy afternoon, with gusts 15 to 25 mph for much of the area. An isolated shower is possible along and south of I-80 today.

- Increasing precipitation chances through early next week as the next weather system moves in. Moisture is limited, with Monday or Tuesday possibly having the best moisture chances.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 149 AM MDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Westerly flow aloft will be the synoptic pattern for today, transitioning to a weak ridging pattern for late today and Friday. Temperatures today are thus a few degrees warmer than yesterday, with highs in the low-to-mid 60s for a majority of the area. A decent pressure gradient remains in the wake of yesterday's cold front and the slight ridging building in, so today continues to be a breezy day. Wind gusts 15 to 25 mph are fairly common across the lower elevations from mid-mroning to this evening, with some areas closer to 30 mph. An approaching upper low around northern California advects some leading moisture across southern Wyoming today as well. Models have limited this moisture a bit compared to yesterday's runs. If any rain does fall, it would occur around I-80 and south, though some hi-res models have a stray shower occurring a bit farther north towards South Pass. In any case, moisture is quite limited, so virga showers is the expected result. A strong shower could develop and produce a brief rain, though any amounts would likely be under 0.05 inches. There is also the slight chance (15%) for a shower to become a thunderstorm. The main concern here is the potential for any fire starts due to lightning, given the overall dry conditions. A shower (virga or rain-producing) could also bring a 40 to 50 mph outflow gust, though this would be an upper-end wind gust.

For Friday, temperatures trend a little warmer as a quick ridge moves over. Again, some moisture, although limited, continues to advect in from the approaching system. An isolated shower is possible during the afternoon, mainly for the western mountains, though an isolated shower can't be ruled out elsewhere, such as around Natrona County. Like will be the case today, moisture is limited, so expect virga showers or very light rain amounts.

The aforementioned low over northern California begins to impact the area this weekend as it moves onshore. Precipitation chances pickup for Saturday as a shortwave ahead of the main system helps provide a little lift with the available, but limited, moisture. The best favored location at this time is the western mountains, though elsewhere does have limited chances (15-30%). These chances are likely to decrease though as we get closer and hi-res models better take into effect the mountains. This system is not very quick as it treks eastwards. Daily precipitation chances occur Saturday through early next week, with the center of low passing by Wyoming Monday into Tuesday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 500 AM MDT Thu Apr 9 2026

VFR conditions expected throughout the entirety of the period. Light winds and increasing mid to upper level clouds with a passing upper level wave. Winds increase ahead of a weak cold front, peaking at COD/CPR/RKS up to 25kts with all other sites up to 18kts. Winds become more north to northeasterly behind FROPA after 22-02Z, during which time will be the best chance for showers near RKS. However, confidence is low with the main coverage south near the Colorado state line and into Colorado itself, carrying VCSH during this time. Otherwise, improving skies after sunset and into the overnight hours through Friday morning.

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.