CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A powerful Pacific storm system will bring widespread showers, thunderstorms and damaging winds to southeast Wyoming today. The National Weather Service in Cheyenne forecasts wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, especially along the Interstate 25 corridor, from 3 to 5 p.m. The strongest impacts are expected between noon and 8 p.m. as thunderstorms develop in Carbon County and push east.
This storm is expected to create a squall line, bringing heavy rain, frequent lightning, hail and severe wind gusts. Areas in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska are under an enhanced risk for severe weather. In addition to thunderstorms, non-convective winds will also be a concern. A high wind watch remains in effect through Wednesday morning, with gusts of up to 70 mph in wind-prone areas like Arlington and Elk Mountain.
Behind the storm, cooler temperatures will settle in. Afternoon highs in Cheyenne will drop to the 50s and 60s, with a brisk wind likely to linger into Wednesday. The high on Wednesday will range from the 60s to low 70s west of Interstate 25, with the warmest temperatures to the east, where highs will reach the 70s and low 80s.
The storm system will clear by Wednesday afternoon, but unsettled weather is expected to persist through the rest of the week. A weak upper-level ridge on Thursday and Friday will briefly increase temperatures to about 5 degrees above normal, with highs ranging from the upper 60s to 80s depending on elevation. However, the warmth will be short-lived.
A much cooler pattern is expected to develop over the weekend. Temperatures will drop below average as several shortwave disturbances move into the region, bringing additional chances of rain and storms. Highs on Saturday and Sunday will range from the upper 50s to low 70s in the lower elevations, while the higher terrain may struggle to reach the 40s.
Next week, fall weather will fully settle in. The autumnal equinox brings cooler-than-average temperatures, especially in the mountains, where highs will barely reach the 40s. The lower elevations will see highs in the upper 50s to low 70s, with multiple chances for much-needed precipitation continuing into early next week.
Detailed Forecast for Cheyenne
- Today: There will be isolated showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3 p.m., followed by showers and a possible thunderstorm after 3. Some of these storms could become severe. The high will be near 80, with breezy west-southwest winds at 5–10 mph shifting to the south at 15–25 mph in the afternoon. Wind gusts could reach up to 35 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
- Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible before 9 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy, gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 44. West-southwest winds will be breezy at 10–20 mph, with gusts of up to 30 mph. There is a 20% chance of precipitation.
- Wednesday: Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 74. Southwest winds will blow around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Wednesday night: It will be mostly clear, with a low around 45. West-northwest winds will range from 10 to 15 mph.
- Thursday: The day will be sunny with a high near 76. West-northwest winds at 10–15 mph will shift to the south in the afternoon.
- Thursday night: Skies will be mostly clear, with a low around 46.
- Friday: There is a 20% chance of showers after noon. The day will be sunny, with a high near 77.
- Friday night: There is a chance of showers. The night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Saturday: A chance of showers is expected, with showers likely and a thunderstorm possible after noon. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 64.
- Saturday night: There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast. It will be mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
- Sunday night: There is a slight chance of showers. The night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Monday: There is a slight chance of showers. The day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
