Rock Springs, Wyoming 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

859
FXUS65 KRIW 241154
AFDRIW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Riverton WY
454 AM MST Sat Jan 24 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A cold start to the weekend across the Cowboy State this
  morning with many seeing single digit to below zero
  temperatures.

- Chances for snow showers develop this evening over northern WY
  and gradually make their way south overnight into Sunday
  morning.

- Another day of cold temperatures is forecast for Sunday with
  any lingering snow showers dissipating by the afternoon.

- Mild and mainly dry conditions make a return for Monday and
  likely persist through much of the work week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 108 AM MST Sat Jan 24 2026

The coldest air of what has been a very mild winter has settled in
across the region. Temperatures have begun to rapidly drop as cloud
cover has dissipated over much of the state this morning. Thankfully
many location do not have snow on the ground, as we would likely be
looking at temperatures 10 to 15 degrees colder than what they are
at the moment. That being said, current observations as of 0100 MST
are still on the chilly side with many locations, especially east of
the Divide seeing temperatures already below zero. The coldest spots
are across portions of the Bighorn Basin along with Johnson and
Natrona Counties. Temperatures here have already begun to drop
near -10F with colder temperatures forecast by sunrise.
Temperatures Saturday will still be chilly with highs currently
forecast to be in the upper teens to low 20s. One thing to
monitor will be whether or not any inversions develop and if
they can be broken during the day. This may occur in locations
such as the Bighorn Basin and the Wind River Basin where winds
look to remain rather light through the day Saturday. If
inversions were to develop and remain in place high temperatures
would be cooler than what is currently forecast.

Most of Saturday will be chilly and mainly quiet through at least
the first half of the day. A shortwave does look to near the area by
the late evening Saturday which will gradually usher in the chance
for some snow showers across northern WY. These showers make their
way south as the axis moves south over the state during the morning
hours on Sunday. A shift in flow due to a cold front passage in
association with this shortwave, may lead to a brief period of
favorable upsloping flow over northerly flow favored areas. However,
this window looks to be short lived and as a result, impacts
likely remain very minimal. Probabilistic guidance is only
showing a 30-60% chance for snow accumulations of 0.5 inches or
more over portions of central and northern WY. Higher elevation
mountain ranges may see more in terms of snow accumulations with
forecasted amounts ranging from a trace to two inches. Showers
dissipate through the late morning and early afternoon Sunday
with temperatures remaining cold across nearly all of the state.
Highs are forecast to range from the low teens to low 20s with
the coldest temperatures being over central and eastern WY.

Unfortunately, the short taste of a normal Wyoming winter comes to
an end to start the work week. Ridging is expected to build back in
over the western CONUS leading to a return of the all too familiar
mild and mainly quiet weather conditions. Highs rebound as early as
Monday with temperatures back in the 30s to low 40s. Mild
temperatures persist with highs remaining in the 30s to 40s
through much of the upcoming week. Ridging will keep most
disturbances well out of the area with the one exception being a
potential system by the second half of the week. However,
models are showing this system remain too far south of the area
to bring any noteworthy impacts. At the moment there may be a
small chance for an isolated shower or two across far
western/southern WY Thursday into Friday. Otherwise, like a
never ending nightmare, ridging is likely to persist across the
region with mild and dry conditions prevailing, while active and
cold weather remains well to the east of WY. Long range models
are showing early indications of this mild and dry pattern
persisting into the start of February but there is still time
to see how things truly pan out. If the past two month are any
indications I would put my money on the mild and dry conditions
prevailing.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 454 AM MST Sat Jan 24 2026

West of the Divide...KBPI/KJAC/KPNA/KRKS Terminals.

Mostly clear skies and VFR conditions continue west of the Divide
through much of the day. Breezy northwest winds will be noted this
afternoon at KBPI and KPNA where gusts will peak over 20 knots. The
next weak wave moves into northern Wyoming late in the afternoon.
This will bring light snow to the KJAC vicinity after 00Z, with MVFR
conditions expected around 06Z. Remaining terminals are not as
favored for precipitation impacts. Frequent mountain obscurations
are expected after 00Z through the end of the period.

East of the Divide...KCOD/KCPR/KLND/KRIW/KWRL Terminals.

Though there are some low clouds in the area early this morning,
terminals are expected to remain mostly cloud-free through the
morning. High clouds will begin increasing from north to south this
afternoon as the next weak wave moves into northern Wyoming. This
will bring snow chances to several terminals after 00Z. KCOD will be
first up with the potential for MVFR conditions by 01Z though more
likely by 07Z. KWRL will follow by 09Z, with KCPR having the next
best chances near the end of the period. Confidence is lower for
KLND and KRIW to see snow impacts this period and have not included
them for now.

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...Myers