CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Southeast Wyoming is set to experience an extended period of strong winds starting tonight, as high wind watches kick in for the region’s wind-prone areas and look to continue through the weekend. This weather event could see high winds affecting not just the mountains but also the adjacent foothills and plains.
Highlights:
- A widespread high-wind event is expected to start Friday night, lasting through much of the weekend into Monday.
- The region will see a shift to colder temperatures and a higher chance of snow from Monday night into Tuesday, particularly in the higher elevations.
An upper-level ridge to the west of the region is set to flatten today, with an upper-level shortwave pushing towards the area and increasing winds. The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has responded by issuing a high wind watch for the Summit, Arlington, and Bordeaux from late Saturday into early Monday, with a slightly delayed start for the South Laramie Range Foothills.
Temperatures over the weekend are anticipated to be significantly warmer than usual due to downslope warming from the strong winds, reaching the mid-50s to low 60s east of the Laramie Range on Saturday. While Friday will see cooler temperatures, the weekend promises mostly clear skies, though increased cloud cover near the higher terrain is possible where mountain waves may develop.
The strong winds are expected to continue into Sunday, especially in southeast Wyoming’s wind-prone locations, with northwest flow aloft persisting and heightening gradients. The coming cold front on Tuesday heralds colder temperatures and the likelihood of snow across the area, with the highest totals expected in the Sierra Madres.
Detailed Forecast for Cheyenne
- Today: Expect sunny skies with a high near 43. It’s going to be breezy, with a west-northwest wind of 20–25 mph and gusts of up to 40 mph.
- Tonight: The evening will be mostly clear with a low around 27. Conditions remain breezy, with a west-northwest wind of 15–20 mph and gusts of up to 30 mph.
- Saturday: The sunshine continues with a high near 54. It will be windy, with a west wind of 30–35 mph. Gusts could hit as high as 50 mph.
- Saturday Night: Expect mostly clear skies with a low around 33. It’ll be windy early, with a west wind of 25–30 mph decreasing to 15–20 mph after midnight. Wind gusts could reach as high as 40 mph.
- Sunday: Another sunny day with a high near 55. Windy conditions persist, with a west wind of 15–20 mph increasing to 25–30 mph in the afternoon. Gusts could reach as high as 40 mph.
- Sunday Night: The night will be mostly clear with a low around 35. Windy conditions continue.
- Monday: Sunny and windy with a high near 55.
- Monday Night: Rain is possible before midnight, then there might be a mix of rain and snow between midnight and 2 a.m., followed by a chance of snow after 2 a.m. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 20. Conditions will be breezy.
- Tuesday: Snow is likely, mainly before 11 a.m. The day will be partly sunny, with a high near 33 and breezy conditions.
- Tuesday Night: Snow could continue, mainly before 11 p.m. Expect partly cloudy skies with a low around 7. It will be blustery.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 40 and breezy conditions.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy with a low around 24. Breezy conditions persist.
- Thursday: The week looks to end on a mostly sunny note, with a high near 52 and breezy conditions.
