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
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
586 FXUS65 KRIW 201715 AFDRIW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 1015 AM MST Thu Nov 20 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated showers (20-40%) linger across portions of western and southern WY this morning. - Patchy areas of fog will be possible this morning across portions of western and central WY. - Another round of showers may be possible Friday mainly over central and southern WY. - Dry and quiet conditions build in for the weekend with a push of colder air possible for the first half of next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 237 AM MST Thu Nov 20 2025 A slight shift in the forecast compared to the previous discussion from yesterday. The main difference is increased coverage and chances for showers across portions of central and southern WY through the rest of the morning. The best chances (20-40%) will remain over western WY with lesser chances (10-30%) for portions of central and southern WY. This change in the forecast is due to a slightly farther north track of a weakening upper level low moving out of the southwestern CONUS at this time. This shift in the track will also lead to increased chances for showers early Friday morning through the afternoon. Parts of southern and central WY look to have the best chances (20-40%) for periodic showers Friday. Overall, the showers today and Friday will have minor impacts. The greatest impacts would be in the higher elevations of central and western mountain ranges where a coating to an inch of snow may be possible. Another thing to monitor this morning will be patchy areas of fog. The locations with the best chances (20-40%) of seeing fog are western valleys such as Star Valley, Jackson Hole and portions of the Upper Green River Basin. Other locations include central WY such as the Wind River Basin along with parts of Natrona County. Any areas of fog that do develop this morning should gradually dissipate through the morning into the early afternoon today. Other aspects of the near term forecast remain mostly unchanged. Temperatures still are forecast to sit at or slightly above seasonable values. Highs through the weekend range from the low to mid 40s west of the Divide and low to mid 50s east of the Divide. Winds look to be light through this period with maybe a slight breeze in wind prone locations. As for precipitation, after Friday high pressure tries to build in over the region, leading to mainly quiet and dry conditions through the weekend. The upcoming Thanksgiving week forecast is looking quite tricky with lots of moving parts and little consensus among model guidance. The first half of the week will see another disturbance shift south and east out of the PACNW. This disturbance looks to have cold air associated with it and the track will determine just how cold it may get. Models differ with some having the axis digging south leading to colder air here. Other models have it further east leading to the coldest temperatures east of the area. The timing of this cold air would be around Tuesday into Wednesday with some chilly morning lows possible these days. Another aspect with this disturbance will be whether or not we see any widespread precipitation. Similar to the degree of cold air, the track of this disturbance will lead to differing impacts in terms of precipitation. The second half of the week sees the active pattern continue with another potential disturbance moving into the area. However, just like the first half of the week, the track of this disturbance will lead to greatly differing impacts. Being nearly a week out there is even greater uncertainty regarding what we can expect here in the Cowboy State. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1014 AM MST Thu Nov 20 2025 Wyoming will be situated between two weather systems, one to the north and one to the south, for the next 24 hours. Low clouds and fog will dissipate within an hour or two of the TAF period. Fog is possible again Friday morning at KRIW, KCPR, KBPI, and KPNA. For now, kept 6SM BR SCT001 for these terminals, except KCPR, which is prevailing IFR from 10Z-17Z Friday morning. This may be dropped to LIFR for KCPR during the aforementioned time. Conditions will remain dry, with VFR conditions otherwise. Wind will remain light at all terminals through the TAF period. Frequent mountain obscuration across western mountains this afternoon. Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for the latest information on icing and turbulence forecasts. && .RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Dziewaltowski AVIATION...Rowe