CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Southeast Wyoming can expect a notably warm weekend with temperatures in some areas possibly reaching into the 80s, according to the National Weather Service in Cheyenne.
This warming trend is set to bring elevated temperatures well above the seasonal average before a change in conditions next week that could include cooler temperatures and possible rain or snow showers.
The NWS in Cheyenne has highlighted that starting Friday, afternoon highs are expected to hit the 70s across the region, extending into the Nebraska Panhandle. Afternoon temperatures will mostly remain in the 50s this afternoon with scattered cloud cover.
Conditions could improve significantly by Friday as warmer air moves in due to an eastward-shifting upper-level ridge.
The weekend could see temperatures soar even higher. By late afternoon Sunday, areas like the North Platte River valley near Torrington and Scottsbluff might see temperatures pushing 80 degrees if they haven’t already by Saturday.
However, with the warm temperatures comes increased risk of fire, especially given the gusty winds expected over the weekend. The NWS in Cheyenne advises that breezy conditions Sunday may also lead to increased fire weather concerns.
Looking to next week, a change is on the horizon as a storm system currently positioned south of the Gulf of Alaska moves closer. A vigorous closed low will dive toward the California coast this weekend and start to inch eastward on Sunday. This system is expected to bring an end to the warm spell by late Monday or early Tuesday, introducing cooler and more unsettled weather.
Despite the cooling trend, precipitation next week remains uncertain. While scattered rain and snow showers driven by an increase in the horizontal thermal gradient are still a good bet, a widespread precipitation scenario is looking less likely. The potential for high winds also persists into next week, with another trough possibly affecting the area by Wednesday.
Detailed Forecast for Cheyenne
- Today: Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 59. Winds will come from the west-northwest at 5–15 mph.
- Tonight: The night will be mostly clear, with a low around 32. West-northwest winds at 5–15 mph will shift to the southwest in the evening.
- Friday: Sunny weather is in the forecast, with a high near 72. Winds will come from the west-southwest at 5–15 mph.
- Friday Night: Expect mostly cloudy skies, with a low around 42. The south-southwest wind at 5–10 mph will shift to the west after midnight.
- Saturday: The day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Winds will come from the west-northwest at 10–15 mph.
- Saturday Night: The night will be mostly clear, with a low around 41.
- Sunday: Sunny conditions are expected, with a high near 74.
- Sunday Night: There’s a slight chance of showers before midnight. Skies will be mostly clear, with a low around 41.
- Monday: Showers are possible, mainly after noon, under mostly sunny skies with a high near 63. Conditions will be breezy.
- Monday Night: There’s a chance of rain showers before 2 a.m., followed by a chance of rain and snow showers. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 37 and breezy conditions.
- Tuesday: Rain and snow showers are possible. Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 57 and windy conditions.
- Tuesday Night: Rain and snow showers are likely. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 29 and blustery conditions.
- Wednesday: Snow showers are possible under partly sunny skies, with a high near 45. It will be breezy.
