CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Residents in Cheyenne and southeast Wyoming are preparing for a significant cold weather event, with two surges of bitterly cold temperatures expected starting Friday and continuing through the weekend.
The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued windchill warnings for all areas along and east of the Laramie range, effective from 5 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday, as windchills could plummet to minus 50.
In addition to the cold, Cheyenne is bracing for two rounds of snowfall, with winter weather advisory headlines already in effect for areas along the Pine Ridge and Niobrara County. A second round of snowfall is expected on Friday, impacting the Interstate 80 and I-25 corridors, among other areas.

Strong westerly winds are also forecast ahead of the arctic cold front on Friday, with high wind warnings in effect for parts of southeast Wyoming through Friday afternoon. Wind gusts could reach up to 70 mph in wind-prone areas and up to 60 mph elsewhere. Snow squalls with heavy snow and gusty winds are possible, particularly along the I-25 and I-80 corridors today.
NWS Meteorologist Brandon Wills notes that light snow showers and moderate to heavy snowfall are expected in the Snowy and Sierra Madre ranges, with the potential for blizzard-like conditions due to blowing snow and visibility reductions. Extremely cold temperatures and windchills are forecast to persist into early next week.
“Overall, we can`t stress enough how bitterly cold it will be due to the elevated winds and Arctic air mass being present the next several days. Wind chills during the day and overnight will bottom out across most of the County Warning Area in the 30 to 55 below zero range, which will cause frostbite to animals and humans in as little as 10 minutes if not properly safeguarded in layers or buildings,” Wills states.
NWS Lead Forecaster Aaron Woodward emphasizes the continuation of cold weather impacts through Tuesday, with dangerously cold windchills expected to drop into the minus 30 to minus 40 range. The region will also experience snow chances and possibly significant snow accumulations in the mountain zones.
“We get into a warmer flow with much warmer temperatures expected on Tuesday,” Woodward states.
Detailed Forecast for Cheyenne
- Today: There’s a 40% chance of snow showers, mainly after 11 a.m., with patchy blowing snow starting at 5 p.m. The day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 25. Windchill values will range between minus 5 and 5 degrees. Conditions will be windy, with a west wind of 15–20 mph increasing to 25–30 mph in the morning and gusts possibly reaching 40 mph.
- Tonight: Snow showers are likely mainly before 11 p.m. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around minus 19. Windchill values could be between minus 30 and minus 40. North wind will be around 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%, with new snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
- Saturday: There’s a 40% chance of snow showers. It will be mostly sunny and cold, with a high near minus 2. Windchill values will be between minus 30 and minus 40. North wind will be around 10–15 mph.
- Saturday Night: There’s a 40% chance of snow showers. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around minus 14. Windchill values will be between minus 20 and minus 25. East wind at 5–10 mph will shift to the south in the evening.
- Sunday: Snow showers are likely, mainly before 11 a.m. The day will be mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 1. South wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday Night: Snow showers are likely. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around minus 15. The chance of precipitation is 70%.
- MLK Jr. Day: Snow showers are likely, mainly before 11 a.m. The day will be partly sunny and cold, with a high near minus 3. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday Night: The night will be mostly clear, with a low around minus 14. Conditions will be breezy.
- Tuesday: Expect mostly sunny skies, with a high near 27. It will be breezy.
- Tuesday Night: The night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 16. Conditions will be breezy.
- Wednesday: There’s a slight chance of snow showers. It will be mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy conditions are expected.
- Wednesday Night: There’s a slight chance of snow showers. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Conditions will be blustery.
- Thursday: There’s a slight chance of snow showers. The day will be partly sunny, with a high near 33. It will be breezy.