textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- A cold start to the weekend across the Cowboy State this morning with many seeing single digit to below zero temperatures.

- Chances for snow showers develop this evening over northern WY and gradually make their way south overnight into Sunday morning.

- Another day of cold temperatures is forecast for Sunday with any lingering snow showers dissipating by the afternoon.

- Mild and mainly dry conditions make a return for Monday and likely persist through much of the work week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 108 AM MST Sat Jan 24 2026

The coldest air of what has been a very mild winter has settled in across the region. Temperatures have begun to rapidly drop as cloud cover has dissipated over much of the state this morning. Thankfully many location do not have snow on the ground, as we would likely be looking at temperatures 10 to 15 degrees colder than what they are at the moment. That being said, current observations as of 0100 MST are still on the chilly side with many locations, especially east of the Divide seeing temperatures already below zero. The coldest spots are across portions of the Bighorn Basin along with Johnson and Natrona Counties. Temperatures here have already begun to drop near -10F with colder temperatures forecast by sunrise. Temperatures Saturday will still be chilly with highs currently forecast to be in the upper teens to low 20s. One thing to monitor will be whether or not any inversions develop and if they can be broken during the day. This may occur in locations such as the Bighorn Basin and the Wind River Basin where winds look to remain rather light through the day Saturday. If inversions were to develop and remain in place high temperatures would be cooler than what is currently forecast.

Most of Saturday will be chilly and mainly quiet through at least the first half of the day. A shortwave does look to near the area by the late evening Saturday which will gradually usher in the chance for some snow showers across northern WY. These showers make their way south as the axis moves south over the state during the morning hours on Sunday. A shift in flow due to a cold front passage in association with this shortwave, may lead to a brief period of favorable upsloping flow over northerly flow favored areas. However, this window looks to be short lived and as a result, impacts likely remain very minimal. Probabilistic guidance is only showing a 30-60% chance for snow accumulations of 0.5 inches or more over portions of central and northern WY. Higher elevation mountain ranges may see more in terms of snow accumulations with forecasted amounts ranging from a trace to two inches. Showers dissipate through the late morning and early afternoon Sunday with temperatures remaining cold across nearly all of the state. Highs are forecast to range from the low teens to low 20s with the coldest temperatures being over central and eastern WY.

Unfortunately, the short taste of a normal Wyoming winter comes to an end to start the work week. Ridging is expected to build back in over the western CONUS leading to a return of the all too familiar mild and mainly quiet weather conditions. Highs rebound as early as Monday with temperatures back in the 30s to low 40s. Mild temperatures persist with highs remaining in the 30s to 40s through much of the upcoming week. Ridging will keep most disturbances well out of the area with the one exception being a potential system by the second half of the week. However, models are showing this system remain too far south of the area to bring any noteworthy impacts. At the moment there may be a small chance for an isolated shower or two across far western/southern WY Thursday into Friday. Otherwise, like a never ending nightmare, ridging is likely to persist across the region with mild and dry conditions prevailing, while active and cold weather remains well to the east of WY. Long range models are showing early indications of this mild and dry pattern persisting into the start of February but there is still time to see how things truly pan out. If the past two month are any indications I would put my money on the mild and dry conditions prevailing.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 454 AM MST Sat Jan 24 2026

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

Mostly clear skies and VFR conditions continue west of the Divide through much of the day. Breezy northwest winds will be noted this afternoon at KBPI and KPNA where gusts will peak over 20 knots. The next weak wave moves into northern Wyoming late in the afternoon. This will bring light snow to the KJAC vicinity after 00Z, with MVFR conditions expected around 06Z. Remaining terminals are not as favored for precipitation impacts. Frequent mountain obscurations are expected after 00Z through the end of the period.

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

Though there are some low clouds in the area early this morning, terminals are expected to remain mostly cloud-free through the morning. High clouds will begin increasing from north to south this afternoon as the next weak wave moves into northern Wyoming. This will bring snow chances to several terminals after 00Z. KCOD will be first up with the potential for MVFR conditions by 01Z though more likely by 07Z. KWRL will follow by 09Z, with KCPR having the next best chances near the end of the period. Confidence is lower for KLND and KRIW to see snow impacts this period and have not included them for now.

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.