CASPER, Wyo. — Natrona County residents should prepare for a final weekend of unseasonably warm winter temps before a shift in the weather pattern brings with it the return of winter temperatures, and even potential snowfall next week.
The National Weather Service in Riverton reported Saturday that temperatures in the Casper area will remain 20 to 30 degrees above normal through Sunday. Highs in the low 60s are expected Saturday afternoon, putting several local records in jeopardy, as a dominant high-pressure ridge remains over the region. While the sky will stay mostly sunny, a weak passing shortwave will create breezy conditions, with west-northwest winds gusting as high as 25 mph.
The warmth will peak again on Sunday, with a high near 61 degrees. However, the atmosphere will become increasingly active by Sunday night, as the ridge begins to break down. Wind speeds are expected to increase significantly after sundown, with southwest gusts reaching up to 43 mph by early Monday morning.
Then, the change happens.
Forecasters said that Monday will mark the beginning of a transition toward a more typical February climate. As the ridge moves out, Pacific moisture will begin to sweep into the state. While Monday will still be relatively warm, with a high near 59 degrees, the introduction of a larger trough from the west will bring a 50 percent chance of precipitation by Monday night. Meteorologists expect a mix of rain and snow showers to develop before 11 p.m., eventually turning to all snow as overnight lows drop to approximately 28 degrees.
The coming week is expected to be characterized by persistent cloud cover and intermittent snow. Tuesday and Wednesday both carry a 40 to 50 percent chance of snow showers. Temps will cool significantly compared to the weekend, with daytime highs falling into the mid-40s through Friday.
Though the exact timing and accumulation of snow remain difficult to pin down, confidence remains high that the region will see a return to colder, more seasonal conditions next week. By Thursday and Friday, the active pattern is expected to settle into a period of mostly-sunny skies, with highs remaining near 44 degrees and overnight lows dipping into the mid-20s.
Detailed Forecast
- Today – Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 14 – 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Tonight – Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 6 – 10 mph.
- Sunday – Sunny, with a high near 61. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 14 – 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
- Sunday Night – Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Windy, with a southwest wind 17 – 26 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph.
- Monday – Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Windy, with a southwest wind 21 – 31 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph.
- Monday Night – Scattered rain and snow showers before 11 p.m., then scattered snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 5 – 9 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tuesday – A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Light and variable wind.
- Tuesday Night – A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Wednesday – A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night – A chance of rain and snow showers before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday – Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
- Thursday Night – Mostly clear, with a low around 24.
- Friday – Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.
More on the weather is available at the National Weather Service website.
