


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
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010 FXUS65 KRIW 011023 AFDRIW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 423 AM MDT Mon Sep 1 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Smoke from wildfires will continue across the area today. - Dry conditions, seasonable temperatures and light winds also return today. However, fire weather conditions will be elevated in the central basins and across southern portions. - A cold front drops highs by up to 6 degrees on Wednesday. This also brings low chances (15%) for showers and storms Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, with better chances Saturday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 133 AM MDT Mon Sep 1 2025 Conditions will remain mostly dry today and are expected to remain so through at least Thursday. Temperatures will be somewhat seasonal, ranging from the upper 70s to upper 80s. Today and Tuesday will be the warmest days, especially in the Bighorn Basin where highs will approach the 90 degree mark. Winds will stay light, with periods of high clouds from time to time. Elevated fire weather conditions will also return to the central basins and southern portions of the CWA this afternoon, as RH values become critical in these areas. There is a 10 to 20% chance for virga showers to develop over the Bighorn, Absaroka and Wind River Mountains this afternoon, but these chances could go down later today, as confidence remains low due to the overall dry conditions. The synoptic pattern through much of the week will be largely unchanged: the Cowboy State will be sandwiched between an upper level ridge to the west and a strong developing longwave trough to the east. The influence of these two features could cause some variability for each side of the Divide by Thursday and Friday. The smoke that moved into the area yesterday will remain in place today, keeping skies hazy. The anticipated cold front looks to move across areas east of the Divide starting Wednesday morning and quickly exiting the area to the south by early afternoon. Temperatures will be slightly cooler as a result, but will have the biggest impact over northern Johnson County where highs will be in the lower 70s (about 12 degrees cooler from Tuesday). A second surge of cooler air looks to move over the Cowboy State Friday, resulting in highs in the 70s to near 80 degrees. The ridge will begin to shift eastward over the state by Saturday, bringing the next chance for widespread precipitation to the CWA. Most of this looks to be confined to areas west of the Divide for now. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 422 AM MDT Mon Sep 1 2025 VFR conditions expected throughout the period for all TAF sites. Light winds overnight and mainly clear skies. Winds by 17Z-19Z will remain light around 10kts or less expected. Increasing high clouds late in the period after 00Z towards sunset as winds decrease to 5kts or less as wind decouples. Mainly clear sky should appear for all TAF sites between 06Z and 10Z. 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...LaVoie AVIATION...Hattings