Riverton, Wyoming 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

828
FXUS65 KRIW 240818
AFDRIW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Riverton WY
118 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 /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 926 PM MST Fri Jan 23 2026

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

Clouds have been diminishing with much of the area SKC by the
start of the forecast. However, low clouds remain possible
through 10Z, and perhaps a few hours beyond 10Z. Confidence in
these low clouds being dense enough to cause MVFR flight
conditions remains between 20% and 30%. Given this lower
confidence, VFR flight conditions are being maintained at this
time but the potential is reflected in FEW/SCT groups.
Otherwise, expect relatively light winds much of the TAF period.
Winds increase and become breezy in the afternoon, especially
at KBPI/KPNA where gusts between 20kt and 25kt are forecast.
Chances for snow will increase at KJAC after 00Z, with MVFR
conditions expected by 06Z Sunday. Mountain obscurations will
increase over the western mountains after 02Z Sunday.

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

MVFR ceilings continue to disperse across the area, with most
terminals having marginal VFR ceilings to start the forecast.
The exception will continue to be KLND, which should improve
back to VFR by 08Z. All terminals can expect dry conditions
through much of the TAF period. The exception is KCOD, where
there is a 30% chance of light snow occurring along a cold
front after 00Z Sunday. Snow is expected to be in place by 04Z.
Winds remain relatively light throughout the forecast. Mountain
obscurations will increase over the northern mountain after 21Z
as another cold/arctic front drops southward.

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...LaVoie/Gerhardt