Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
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967 FXUS65 KRIW 120803 AFDRIW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 203 AM MDT Wed Jun 12 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions today, as wind gusts up to 35 mph develop across the CWA by midday. - Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible Thursday and Friday. - A strong storm system could impact the region Monday, cooling temperatures back to seasonal levels. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 155 AM MDT Wed Jun 12 2024 A zonal flow pattern will be in place today, with above normal temperatures and dry conditions occurring across the CWA. Winds will be stronger today, with gusts up to 35 mph across the forecast area. Higher gusts of 40 to 50 mph will occur in the Absaroka, Wind River and Bighorn Mountains. High temperatures in the 90s will also be much more widespread east of the Divide and RH values in the teens once again. These conditions will once again result in elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions. Agricultural burning of any kind is highly discouraged today. High-based showers and thunderstorms will be possible across the WY/CO border this afternoon as well. Strong outflow winds due to dry microbursts will be the main threat from this activity. A strong high center over AZ/NM will rebuild and push its ridge axis over the Northern Rockies Thursday into Friday. Isolated showers and thunderstorms could occur over central portions of the CWA late in the afternoon into the evening. Isolated showers and thunderstorms will remain possible Friday, as an upper level low from the Desert Southwest surges northward. A longwave trough will build over the PACNW and EPAC over the weekend, resulting in southwest flow aloft over the Cowboy State. This could bring elevated fire weather conditions again to much of the CWA. Strong winds could occur over the Wind Corridor Monday afternoon, as a cold low approaches the region. Elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions could occur again from Sweetwater to Natrona County, as a strong cold front associated with the low makes its way eastward across the CWA. Snow could also occur over the western mountains above 8500 ft during the afternoon into the evening, as the upper low moves over the area toward the Dakotas. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 1028 PM MDT Tue Jun 11 2024 Winds have decreased this evening at all sites, and should stay L/V through sunrise Wednesday. Winds will again ramp up tomorrow morning, with all sites noting wind gusts of 25 to 35kts in the afternoon. Winds will again decrease between 01Z and 03Z/13. Cigs and vis remain VFR through the next 24 hours, but note some light smoke starting to drift in from the east may slightly obscure approach angles late afternoon. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 155 AM MDT Wed Jun 12 2024 West winds will begin to increase over zones 280/286/288 after 0800 this morning, spreading across the rest of the forecast area through the rest of the morning. Gusts up to 35 mph will be common this afternoon, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph occurring in zones 285/286/288. Critical RH values will also occur across portions of the Bighorn and Wind River Basins, and zones 277/278/279/280/289. These conditions will result in elevated to near- critical fire weather conditions today. Agricultural burning of any kind is highly discouraged today. Although temperatures will still be above normal on Thursday, winds will be weaker and RH values in the teens will be pushed south to zones 277/278/279/289. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...LaVoie AVIATION...Straub FIRE WEATHER...LaVoie