textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Warmer than average temperatures continue through the next week with mainly dry conditions.

- Minimal snow chances (10-20%) for northern parts of the CWA, especially the Bighorns with a weak system with the main impact of increased clouds and temperatures not quite as warm Tuesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1205 AM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

Upper level ridging continues to dominate and will for the next 7 days. However, the ridge does break down some as a shortwave propagates down passing to the northeast Monday afternoon and into the overnight hours. As a result, some snow showers likely across northern parts of the CWA after sunset to include Yellowstone, northern Absarokas, and in particular the northern Bighorns that will be closer to the PVA anomaly over the northern Great Plains and better moisture content. However, accumulations will still be minimal with 1 to 2 inches expected for the highest of the elevations with no impacts to the passes. The main impact will be a more widespread increase to the winds with the passing system and associated weak frontal boundary as it passes through the afternoon. Highest wind speeds for the Cody Foothills due to funneling of the westerly winds along with the wind corridor of Sweetwater to Natrona Counties and further north to Buffalo and Johnson County. 30 to 40 mph will be had for these areas until after FROPA and will quickly diminish before sunset Monday evening. The only other minor impact will be increased cloud cover and temperatures being not as warm by a few degrees for Tuesday afternoon highs but still above average for this time of year.

Once the aforementioned system passes and clouds clear later on Tuesday, expect the upper level ridge to build in once again with stronger convergence aloft shifting more east and over the Rockies. This will give way to dry conditions through the end of the work week and the weekend with temperatures up to 10 to 20 degrees warmer than average for this time of year, higher east of the Divide.

Beyond the weekend, longer term model solutions do bring in a more potent and widespread system as the PFJ dips south across the state and points south. This will open the Pacific northwest moisture back in to play with the westerly flow aloft. With this regime, expect snow for western mountains and possibly valleys, not reaching to the east outside of the Bighorns. However, the latest runs have dipped it a bit further south that could bring a more south of westerly flow that could open it up more to southeastern zones. Time will tell, but cooler more seasonable temperatures will be had for next week going forward into the middle portions of the month.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 1007 AM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

VFR conditions through the period. Today, mostly sunny, with afternoon wind increases. A weak weather system begins to move into the area from the north this evening, bringing increasing cloud cover. Snow showers are mainly confined to the Bighorn Mountains, with lesser chances over the Absarokas. Therefore, there is about a 10 percent chance of snow at KCOD, but the most likely outcome is increased cloud cover. AT KJAC, there is lower confidence in wind direction starting this evening; currently looks like winds remain from the south-southwest, though occasional north winds could occur in the light flow.

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.