857
FXUS65 KRIW 110433
AFDRIW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Riverton WY
1033 PM MDT Sun Aug 10 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Mostly clear and cool overnight tonight for western and
  central Wyoming.

- Lighter winds and mostly dry conditions over the next 3 to 5
  days with a warming trend through mid-week. Wednesday and
  Thursday look to be the hottest days of the week.

- Fire weather concerns return for Wednesday and Thursday as
  winds increase.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1255 PM MDT Sun Aug 10 2025

A few showers and isolated thunderstorms continue to persist across
Johnson County this afternoon. These are associated with a shortwave
digging out of MT on the backside of the longwave trough that is now
centered over the northern Plains. Increased PoP coverage across
Johnson County as there is a bit more moisture to work with today
(PWATs around 0.8"), but generally kept as isolated (15% chances) as
model guidance still struggles to resolve any longer duration storms
or showers. There is a slight chance (10%) that these showers and
storms could also initiate off of the southern Bighorns and Casper
Mountain, which would track into Natrona County, so have added some
weak PoPs there as well.

Otherwise, not much change to the forecast as we see the ridge start
to re-establish itself over the coming days and thus, the weather
pattern will remain generally quiet. Elevated fire weather does
continue, but light winds will be the limiting factor through at
Tuesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 224 AM MDT Sun Aug 10 2025

Things are largely quiet on this 2nd sunday of August. A weak
mid level disturbance is producing a few blips on the radar
across the Wyoming - Montana border but these are producing
only a few sprinkles and should be on by shortly after sunrise.
Otherwise, it looks like a nice day for most with comfortably
warm temperatures and a sunny to partly cloudy sky. The only
exception is across portions of Natrona and Johnson County where
a subtle shortwave and maybe just enough mid level moisture may
bring isolated showers or thunderstorms this afternoon
(generally a 1 out of 6 chance). Most places won`t see one
though. And most importantly, a light to moderate wind across
most of the area so this is the first day in a while we have not
had any fire weather concerns.

No concerns on Monday as ridging will control the weather, bring
dry conditions and light to moderate wind. Temperatures will
warm through, but only to near to slight above normal. On
Tuesday, models have slowed the progression of the next front.
This should lead to lighter wind and as a result; fire weather
looks like less of a concern. A very weak shortwave may brush by
far northwestern Wyoming and could bring an evening shower or
thunderstorm, but the chance only looks like about 1 in 10 at
this time and we kept the forecast dry for now.

Concerns begin to ramp up again on Wednesday as the front moves
closer to the area. This will tighten up the pressure gradient and
turn flow to the southwest. This means stronger wind across portions
of the area, especially the southwestern Wind Corridor from Rock
Springs through Casper. This will also warm temperatures
significantly, the widespread highs in the 90s, possibly the upper
90s, in areas East of the Divide. Humidity will be low enough for
critical fire weather, but wind still looks borderline in some
locations. Enough mid level moisture may return to western Wyoming
for isolated thunderstorms, but the chance is generally less than 1
out of 5 and most locations should not see one. The most concerning
day for fire weather looks to be Thursday as the front and shortwave
approach, bringing the breeziest conditions. Convection may be a bit
more this day, but with the lack of low level moisture coverage
stills looks rather sparse at this time. Somewhat cooler
temperatures should return for Friday and Saturday, but temperatures
will still be near to lightly above average across the area.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1031 PM MDT Sun Aug 10 2025

VFR conditions tonight with light winds and only a few high
cirrus floating through. Most of western WY will stay skc/sct150
through the day Monday, with light north winds. A few showers
are again possible from KCPR to KBYG after 18Z, but will be even
more isolated than today, and any impacts at these airports
will be minimal and brief. Chances still too low to add any
notation to TAFs for the moment.

&&

.RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

UPDATE...Hensley
DISCUSSION...Hattings
AVIATION...Straub