textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- A return to more seasonable temperatures is expected across much the Cowboy State today, as a cold front sweeps through.

- Showers will develop over the lower and higher elevations of northern WY today with a few inches of accumulating snow possible in the highest elevations of the northern Bighorns.

- Red Flag Warnings remain in place for southern WY through this evening, as a result of warm temperatures, dry conditions and gusty winds.

- Friday sees quieter conditions and seasonable temperatures with warmer temperatures returning for the weekend.

- A shift back to record warm temperatures and dry conditions may occur next week with early indications of a wetter and unsettled pattern developing.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 247 AM MDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Scattered showers, mainly in the form of virga, are making their way across portions of southern and central WY this morning. Depending on how much the atmosphere can saturate, there may be a few drops making their way to the surface early this morning. A few rumbles of thunder cannot be ruled out as well. These showers should mostly dissipate by around sunrise.

The record breaking heat will subside today with temperatures cooling back down nearly 15 to 25 degrees compared to yesterday. This is the result of a cold front that will make its way across the state today. Forecasted temperatures will differ greatly due to the cold front slowing down over central portions of WY. There will be a gradient of temperatures with the coldest values remaining over northern WY as highs only get into the upper 40s to lower 50s. Johnson County looks to be particularly chilly, with forecasted highs only around 40. Natrona County could be another chilly spot with highs in the mid 40s to low 50s. The cold front looks to slow before making its way into Fremont County. As a result, temperatures should be able to get into the upper 50s and maybe lower 60s depending on the timing. The warmer temperatures look to be across southern WY, where the front wont reach until late Thursday. This will allow for temperatures to get into the low to mid 60s with western valleys being cooler in the low to mid 50s. Winds will once again increase with widespread gusts of 20 to 35 mph with stronger gusts nearing 40 mph likely over southern WY. The frontal passage should limit fire weather concerns over much of the state today. The only exception to this will be southern WY as the late passing of the front should allow for RH values to drop down to near or below 15%. Due to this, Red Flag Warnings remain in effect across much of southern WY through Thursday evening.

The other aspect of the cold front passage will be chances for showers over portions of the lower and higher elevations of northern WY. The timing for this precipitation will coincide with the frontal passage. At this time, showers should begin developing shortly after sunrise with chances increasing through the morning and shifting east by the early afternoon. The lower elevations with the best chances of seeing scattered showers today will be along the Cody Foothills, eastern Bighorn Basin and parts of Johnson/Natrona Counties. Northern Johnson County is an area of interest as hi-res models have shown the best chances (30-60%) for showers occurring here. Temperatures are forecast to remain too warm for any snowfall in lower elevations, but a brief transition to wet snow or a rain/snow mix cannot be ruled out. Snow chances will be better across the higher elevations of the northern Absarokas and Bighorn Ranges. The Bighorns will have the best chances to see a light accumulation of snow, with amounts ranging from an inch to two. Precipitation should gradually dissipate by the evening hours with a few lingering showers possible over Johnson and Natrona County by sunset.

The start of next week is looking more and more interesting with each passing day. Models are coming into good agreement that an unsettled and wetter pattern may be on its way. However, there is a lot of uncertainty as to where the most favorable locations will be. So overall, next week looks to bring a much welcomed change from the heat and dry conditions we have seen over the past week and a half. That being said, there are no guarantees at this moment that we will see widespread precipitation chances but chances are slowing increasing.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 444 AM MDT Thu Mar 26 2026

A cold front continues to push southward across areas east of the Divide this morning, with winds turning northerly in its wake. The front is also expected to bring MVFR ceilings across Johnson County and KCOD. Lower VFR ceilings will move in at KCPR, persisting through the rest of the morning. Ceilings will improve back to VFR at KCOD by 19Z. Occasional showers will be seen across northern Wyoming through the period, though these are not expected to impact terminals and will be mostly confined to the mountains. Otherwise, wind will increase again at terminals after 17Z, with widespread gusts of 20 to 35kt through the afternoon. Wind will decrease after sunset Thursday.

Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for the latest information on icing and turbulence forecasts.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 247 AM MDT Thu Mar 26 2026

A cold front passage should limit fire weather concerns for much of the state today. Portions of central and northern WY will see cooler temperatures, higher humidity values and gusty winds of 20 to 35 mph. Southern WY will be the one exception to this due to a later frontal passage timing. As a result, warm temperatures, low RHs, and gusty winds in excess of 40 mph at times will persist through much of the day.

CLIMATE

Issued at 247 AM MDT Thu Mar 26 2026

The summer-like temperatures persisted across the Cowboy State on Wednesday, leading to numerous high temperature records being broken. High temperatures ended up climbing into the upper 70s to low 80s east of the Divide and low to upper 70s west of the Divide. A location of note was Rock Springs, which hit 78F breaking the previous all-time high temperature record for March of 76F. This previous record occurred only a few days ago back on March 21st. An example of how anomalously warm that value is, the high temperature record for April at Rock Springs is 79F meaning we fell only 1 degree short of tying the record for April while still in March. Lander is another location of note, with records going back to 1891. The mercury reached 81F making it the third 80 degree day so far this month. Lander, before this year has never recorded an 80 degree day in the month of March. It would now tie the current record for most 80 degree days in the month of April. In total all 9 of our climate sites broke daily high temperature records Wednesday by multiple degrees. These records will only be adding to the long list of records that have already been broken this month. Overall, this recent stretch of record breaking heat is very anomalous for March and will likely be remembered for years to come.

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for WYZ277>279.