textproduct: Western and Central Wyoming

KEY MESSAGES

- Winds gusting 40 to 55 mph will continue through sunset across central and southern Wyoming basins. Higher gusts of 60 to 75 mph are likely (80% chance) in the higher terrain of the Absaroka, Owl Creek, and Wind River Mountains.

- Wind continues and strengthens after sunrise Saturday, with gusts of 45 to 65 mph impacting most of Wyoming. High Wind Warnings are in effect for much of the area.

- A cold front will bring moderate accumulating snow to the mountains Saturday. Central and northern Wyoming basins east of the Continental Divide could also see an inch or two of snow Saturday evening into Sunday morning.

- Temperatures on Sunday will be about 15 to 30 degrees colder than those experienced Saturday. - Confidence is high (90%) for well above average temperatures from Tuesday into next weekend, with record-breaking heat looking increasingly likely.

UPDATE

Issued at 215 PM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026

Today's forecast remains on track, with widespread wind gust reports this afternoon in the 40 to 55 mph range. Winds will continue to be breezy this evening. Winds decrease after sunset for most lower elevations, but winds in Absaroka, Owl Creek, and Wind River foothills are likely to remain elevated overnight.

Stronger winds are still expected tomorrow (Saturday), followed by a cold frontal passage that will bring light to moderate accumulating snow, mainly for the mountains. High Wind Watches have been upgraded and expanded to include the most likely locations to receive 50 to 65 mph gusts Saturday. Winter Storm Watches have been replaced by Winter Weather Advisories, with a mention of strong winds combining with the light to moderate snow during the day Saturday to make for wintry travel conditions over passes.

The eastern Bighorn Basin and northern Powder River Basin (including Buffalo, WY) are absent from the High Wind Warning currently, but late tomorrow afternoon and into the evening, there are hints that once winds shift to northerly behind the cold front, gusts of 50 to 60 mph are possible for locations like the North Big Horn County Airport and Johnson County Airport. However, population centers at slightly lower elevations are less likely to see these high winds. Nevertheless, it will be breezy, and especially those traveling with high-profile vehicles on east-west routes (such as I-90) will want to continue to use caution even into the early morning hours on Sunday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 339 AM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026

Although the High Wind Warnings from Thursday have expired, gusty winds continue this morning over mainly western portions of the CWA. Gusts of 25 to 30 mph through the Jackson Valley will continue, before increasing around 15Z. Gusts of 35 to 55 mph also continue over South Pass. It will be another day of widespread gusty winds as the overall pattern remain in place and changes little compared to Thursday. The pressure gradient remains tight, as a 150kt jet streak of the PFJ moves over the Northern Plains today. Winds are not expected to be as strong as yesterday, however gusts of 40 to 55 mph are expected to occur. High winds over 70 mph look to occur off the Washakie Needles (southern end of the Absaroka Mountains) and the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains. However, these winds do not look to impact Red Canyon/South Pass, but will range between 60 and 70 mph. This be due to 700mb winds being more westerly, which is not as conducive for the higher winds. Will not issue new High Wind Warnings as a result. Some notable exceptions are Cody and Casper, where there are a 60% chance of reaching 60 mph. This could be an isolated gust that will likely occur between 21Z (3pm) and 00Z (6pm). Snow will continue over the higher elevation in northwestern portions, with most locations receiving 3 to 6 inches through the evening. Locally higher amounts will occur over the western slopes of the Absarokas, as a result of the northwest flow pattern.

The flow aloft will become more zonal Saturday, as a storm system drops southward over northwestern MT. This will tighten the pressure gradient even more, with high winds returning to several locations. Windy conditions will be widespread once again, with gusts of 40 to 55 mph impacting much of the CWA. Central portions look to have higher gusts up to 60 mph, due to 700mb winds of 50 to 60kt. Additionally, these winds will be downsloping off the Wind River Mountains adding to the threat of 60 mph winds. Have issued High Wind Watches for the Wind River Basin, the east slopes of the Wind River Mountains, the Green Mountains/Rattlesnake Range and portions of Natrona County as a result. A Watch/Warning may also be needed for the Cody Foothills, but will leave for the day shift to take another look. Snow will continue over northwestern portions tonight into Saturday, with amounts of 12 to 16 inches over the higher elevations. Issued Winter Storm Watches for Yellowstone, the Absarokas, the Tetons/Gros Ventres and Bighorns for Saturday/Saturday night for these amounts, along with the added threat of 50 to 60 mph winds. Left the Wind River Mountains out of this package due to the higher amounts of snow occurring in the higher, more isolated elevations and not impacting South Pass. Wind was deemed to be the higher threat.

The associated cold front will quickly move through the area starting after 00Z Sunday. Winds will begin to decrease, but the threat for an isolated gust of 60 mph will remain in place. This will especially be true for locations prone to post-frontal winds like Buffalo and Cody. However, this threat looks to only be for a few hours between 03Z and 06Z. Northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph will continue in these areas (the Bighorn Basin and Johnson County) will last through the night. Conditions will also be fighting the natural decoupling that occurs after sunset, so even though 700mb winds around 50kt will be in place between 00Z and 03Z it will be harder for those winds to mix down to the sfc. Snow will also occur along and behind the front for areas east of the Divide. The Cody Foothills, Johnson/Natrona counties and southern portions of Fremont County will have the best chances, with 2 to 3 inches expected Saturday night. Other locations east of the Divide will have more meager amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Winds will finally be decreasing across the area by sunrise Sunday morning, as the storm system makes its way into the Southern Plains. It will be a raw day for the ides of March, with readings 10 to 30 degrees colder from Saturday leaving daytime highs in the 20s and 30s. North to northwest winds will be in place, with breezy conditions returning to areas west of the Divide. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph will be widespread, including in the western mountains. These conditions will be temporary though (it is March after all), as a strong ridge builds over the West Coast Monday with a strong storm over the eastern half of the CONUS. Temperatures will rebound into the 40s and 50s, with gusty winds returning again. Gusts of 25 to 45 mph will occur again over southern and southwestern portions, but also include the Wind Corridor (from the Divide into Natrona County).

The story from Tuesday onward will be the above normal temperatures as the high center from the ridge moves inland and settles over the Desert Southwest in the form of a 594dm high. This is very anomalous for this time of year and looks to result in highs in the 70s. Highs could reach into the lower 80s for portions east of the Divide by Thursday. Tuesday looks to be another breezy to windy day, as the ridge will still be well to the west of the region and allow the PFJ be over the Northern Rockies. This trend looks to decrease by Wednesday, as the high center moves over the Desert Southwest.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1142 AM MDT Fri Mar 13 2026

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

Continued mid-level cloud deck at KJAC in strong northwest flow aloft through much of the period, with occasional similar decks at KPNA and KBPI. The arrival of a quick-moving shortwave provides for a PROB30 of MVFR and light snow at KJAC just before 18Z/Saturday. Other terminals remain dry and VFR. The primary hazard remains gusty westerly wind 34-48kts at KRKS and 25-35kts elsewhere until around 01Z-03Z/Saturday. Speeds decrease after that time but remain breezy. Westerly surface wind again increases 15Z-17Z/Saturday as the pressure gradient tightens with an approaching shortwave. KJAC sees lowering ceilings late Saturday morning with the potential for the late morning MVFR conditions in light snow. Mountain tops obscured.

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

Wind is again the primary aviation hazard through the forecast period as all terminals remain VFR. Westerly surface wind 25-40kts will be common Friday afternoon before decreasing 01Z-03Z/Saturday. The wind returns 15Z-17Z/Saturday with common speeds 34-46kts prior to 18Z. KWRL is the exception as mixing may occur there shortly after 18Z/Saturday. Mountain tops obscured.

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

RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory from 6 AM to 11 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ001-002-008-009-012.

High Wind Warning from 6 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ003- 005.

High Wind Warning from 9 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ007- 011-015>020-022.

Winter Storm Watch from Saturday evening through late Saturday night for WYZ008-009.

High Wind Warning from noon to 11 PM MDT Saturday for WYZ026>030.