CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Stepping into May, residents of southeast Wyoming should keep their ponchos handy. According to the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, a series of weather disturbances will bring showers and possibly thunderstorms to the capital city, primarily in the afternoons and evenings of Thursday and Friday.
Early this morning, isolated rain showers and a few thunderstorms were noted moving northeast across the region, as observed by radar. Some light rainfall and mountain snow due to warm air advection along a stalled frontal boundary across Colorado is forecast.
This activity is expected to increase into the afternoon, with a 50–80% chance of precipitation in most of the western Nebraska Panhandle and far southeast Wyoming.
Although instability and dynamics could stir up thunderstorms, especially east of Interstate 25, severe weather isn’t anticipated due to low dewpoints and modest instability.
Looking ahead, a colder air mass will settle in tonight, pushing temperatures near or below freezing, particularly west of the Laramie Range. Most precipitation is expected to taper off by evening, with only the mountains likely to see minor snow accumulations. No winter weather advisories will be issued as snow accumulations will remain below advisory criteria, according to the NWS in Cheyenne.
The weekend forecasts a shift in conditions, promising drier and warmer weather. A transitory low-amplitude ridge will build overhead on Saturday, bringing a noticeable warming trend. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to climb into the 70s, making it the warmest day of the current forecast period.
As the new week begins, another trough is projected to bring cooler temperatures and scattered showers on Monday, followed by a windy but mild Tuesday with isolated showers as a trough aloft passes through the Dakotas.
Detailed Forecast for Cheyenne
- Today: Scattered showers are expected, then showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible after 3 p.m. The day will be partly sunny with a high near 58. Winds will shift from the south at 10–15 mph to the west-northwest in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are expected, though higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
- Tonight: Scattered rain showers are forecast before 10 p.m., then scattered rain and snow showers are expected between 10 p.m. and midnight and a slight chance of snow showers appears after midnight. Some thunder is also possible. The evening will start cloudy, then gradually clear, with a low around 30. Northwest winds will blow at 10–15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday: There’s a slight chance of snow showers before 3 p.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 3 and 5 p.m., followed by a slight chance of rain showers after 5 p.m. It will be sunny, with a high near 54. Conditions will be breezy, with a west wind at 15–25 mph gusting as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Night: There’s a chance of rain and snow showers before 1 a.m., then a chance of snow showers. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Conditions will be breezy, with a west wind at 15–20 mph shifting to the west-southwest at 5–10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday: There is a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m., then likely rain showers. Some thunder is also possible. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 55. Winds will shift from the south at 10–15 mph to the north-northwest in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday Night: The forecast predicts a chance of rain showers which will mix with snow after 11 p.m. before gradually ending. Some thunder is also possible. It will be partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Conditions will be blustery. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Sunny skies are expected, with a high near 61. Conditions will be breezy.
- Saturday Night: It will be partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Conditions will remain breezy.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny skies are forecast, with a high near 73. Conditions will be breezy.
- Sunday Night: There’s a chance of showers. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Conditions will be breezy.
- Monday: There’s a chance of showers. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 62. Conditions will be breezy.
- Monday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers is expected. It will be partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Conditions will be breezy.
- Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Expect mostly sunny skies, with a high near 63. Conditions will be breezy.
