Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
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744 FXUS65 KRIW 011740 AFDRIW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 1040 AM MST Mon Dec 1 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated areas of fog/low clouds in the Upper Green River Basin this morning and possibly the Jackson/Star Valleys. - Monday will be dry and high temperatures several degrees warmer. Breezy afternoon westerly wind 20 to 30 mph occurs over southwest Wyoming into Natrona County as well as near Dubois and Cody. - The next storm system arrives in western Wyoming Monday night into Tuesday. Light snow gradually spreads east of the Continental Divide Tuesday evening and persists through the Wednesday morning commute. - Northwest flow aloft favors additional light snow in the western and northern mountains late in the week. Temperatures across the region remain seasonal heading into next weekend. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 122 AM MST Mon Dec 1 2025 Snow ended across the area earlier Sunday evening. Apart from a few high clouds, skies will be clear this morning for most of the area. Some low clouds/fog could push into the Star Valley in the next few hours, as well as areas along Hwy 28 near Farson. Conditions will remain dry today, with temperatures about 5 to 10 degrees warmer. Some locations will be 15 to 20 degrees warmer from Sunday, due to highs in the teens yesterday. Winds will be a bit breezy today, with gusts of 25 to 30 mph occurring across southern portions and Natrona County. Areas near Dubois and Cody will also be breezy, with locally higher gusts around 35 mph. Another storm system will quickly make its to the CWA from the north this evening, with snow developing over northwestern portions by 04Z Tuesday and spreading southward through the rest of the night tonight. Winds will increase over the east slopes of the Absaroka and Wind River Mountains irt this latest (third) storm system. West to northwest winds, with gusts of 35 to 45 mph, will develop by 06Z and continue through much of the day Tuesday. These conditions will occur at Dubois, Cody and Clark as well. These winds will then spread across southern portions of Fremont and Natrona counties by 12Z. Gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible along Hwy 258 on the south side of Casper. Gusts of 25 to 30 mph will then be common after 18Z across areas west of the Divide and portions of the Wind River Basin. Isolated snow showers will also occur across areas east of the Divide through the afternoon and become more widespread in the evening, as the associated cold front makes its way southward. This system will be a bit slower than the previous two, with light snow continuing through Wednesday morning. Snowfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches is expected over central portions and the western valleys, with 3 to 6 inches in the mountains. Snow will end across the area through the rest of the morning Wednesday, as high pressure builds into the area from the north through the afternoon. Conditions will remain dry Wednesday night and Thursday, with a chance for snow over northwestern portions due to upslope flow from another incoming system on Friday. Impacts from this storm will be widespread once again, however it will track further north so snowfall amounts look to stay on the light side again. Periods of snow look possible Friday and Saturday across western portions, due to the semi-consistent upslope flow. Exact details will become clearer in the next few days as we progress through the week. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 1039 AM MST Mon Dec 1 2025 A shortwave will move through this afternoon/evening, bringing increased cloud cover and gusty winds to much of the area. With this, light snow will also occur at KJAC. For the most part, snow showers will remain along the surrounding terrain, but hi-res models do indicate a push of snow through the valley from 05Z to 09Z tonight (70% chance), which could result in brief IFR or lower conditions at KJAC (30% chance), most likely from 06Z to 08Z. MVFR or near MVFR conditions will persist at KJAC after that through the rest of the period, ahead of the next more potent shortwave that will move through Tuesday night. To start the period, KJAC remains mostly clear, but a few light snow showers may exist, likely as a result of snow-making operations at nearby resorts. These should have limited to no impacts, as snow will be extremely light and crystalline in nature. As mentioned, gusty winds will accompany today`s shortwave. Several terminals, particularly KCPR and KRKS and to a lesser extent KBPI and KPNA will see gusty winds through much of the afternoon and evening. Especially at KCPR and KRKS, these winds, with gusts around 30kts, will continue through much of the period, and even increase through the evening. KCOD will also see increasing winds through the evening with gusts 20 to 30kts through much of the night. There could be some LLWS/mountain wave potential at KCOD during the evening and overnight (20 to 30% chance), but confidence is not high enough to include in the TAF at this time. Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for the latest information on smoke, icing, and turbulence forecasts. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 11 PM MST Tuesday for WYZ012. && $$ DISCUSSION...LaVoie AVIATION...Hensley