Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
Versions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
701 FXUS65 KRIW 260804 AFDRIW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 204 AM MDT Thu Sep 26 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Well above normal temperatures continue across the Cowboy State today. - Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will be possible today as winds increase during the afternoon/evening. - Warm, dry, and quiet conditions are to remain in place into the weekend with little to no chances for precipitation. - Cooler and more seasonable temperatures may return to the state by the start of next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 201 AM MDT Thu Sep 26 2024 Yesterday saw record breaking heat across the Cowboy State. Numerous locations broke or tied previous record high values, one place to note was Buffalo where the high reached 98 degrees! Fortunately, temperatures will be slightly cooler today but still well above normal. Highs east of the divide will reach the mid to upper 80s, west of the Divide will see highs in the mid to upper 70s. Winds will increase once again this afternoon/evening with widespread westerly/northwesterly gusts of 20 to 30 mph. Due to these gusty winds, warm temperatures, and low RH values, elevated to critical fire weather conditions will be likely today. Red Flag Warnings have been issued for this afternoon/evening across portions of Johnson, Natrona, Fremont, and Sweetwater Counties. Warm, dry, and quiet conditions are expected to prevail through the remainder of the week as high pressure stays in place over the region. Ridging looks to persist across the region into the weekend keeping any disturbances well to the north of the area. Models do show the possibility of a disturbance move to the north of the area for Sunday into Monday. Any precipitation with this system looks to remain to the north of the CWA but a cold front may sweep across the state bringing cooler and more seasonable temperatures. Current forecasted highs for Monday are in the low 70s to mid 60s, which would be a welcomed return to fall like weather. Obviously with this system still being nearly 5 days away there still is a lot of room for change and confidence in the exact impacts remains low at this time. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 935 PM MDT Wed Sep 25 2024 VFR conditions for the entirety of the period once again with light winds and clear skies overnight into Thursday morning. Winds will increase by 16-18Z for RKS and CPR gusting up to 25kts, and after 20-21Z at all other locations ranging from 18-25kts due to a stronger gradient during peak heating of the afternoon hours. Winds will diminish with radiational cooling under continued clear skies towards sunset after around 01Z to less than 10kts through the end of the period and into the next cycle into Friday morning. No other weather elements are expected 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.&& .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 118 PM MDT Wed Sep 25 2024 A Red Flag Warning has been issued for portions of the state Thursday. A front crossing Montana on Thursday will bring brisk southwest winds across the most prone areas of central and southern WY. Humidity level 10 to 15 percent and wind gusts 25 to 35 mph will be common from RKS to CPR and across Johnson County. Another concern is the front will push southward across parts of Johnson County late in the afternoon, bringing an abrupt wind shift from the north 20 to 25 mph late afternoon. All winds will be decreasing at sunset. Winds will be much lighter on Friday, and will remain below Warning Criteria. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 201 AM MDT Thu Sep 26 2024 A Red Flag Warning is in place for portions of the state today during the afternoon/evening. Winds will increase throughout the day today with westerly gusts of 25 to 35 mph. The strongest winds will be across portions of Natrona and Sweetwater Counties. Min RH values will range from 10 to 15 percent today. Winds will shift to the north by the late afternoon with gusts around 20 to 25 mph. All winds will begin to decrease around sunset. Winds will be much lighter on Friday, and will remain below Warning Criteria. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning from noon today to 7 PM MDT this evening for WYZ279>281-289. && $$ DISCUSSION...Dziewaltowski AVIATION...Lowe FIRE WEATHER...Dziewaltowski