High Wind Warning 2, NWS Riverton, WY

060 
WWUS75 KRIW 141653
NPWRIW

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
953 AM MST Sat Jan 14 2023

WYZ020-141800-
/O.EXP.KRIW.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230114T1700Z/
Natrona County Lower Elevations-
Including the city of Casper
953 AM MST Sat Jan 14 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 AM MST THIS MORNING...

The strongest winds occurred overnight and have since diminished
below High Wind criteria. Therefore, the High Wind Warning will be
allowed to expire. However, gusty winds of 30 to 40 mph will
continue to lead to blowing snow in open and exposed areas through
the early afternoon.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/riw

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Riverton WY
1036 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

.SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday)
Issued at 138 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

Fog formation this morning has been limited, with high clouds
slightly insulating most locations. Any fog that does develop will
be less dense than last night, due to more limited sfc moisture.

Ridge axis passing overhead this morning will keep tranquil
conditions going for western WY today. The westerly flow will
produce warmer temperatures for a good distance downwind from
local mountain ranges, so most of the Bighorn Basin, along with
Johnson County, will be well into the 40s, flirting with 50
degrees this afternoon. On the other hand, the warming aloft will
keep the cold pool in the Wind River Basin, with deep snow cover
keeping the cold pool insulated. Temperatures here will struggle
to reach the low 20s this afternoon.

Tonight as the ridge axis moves to the east, a weak shortwave
will sweep northeast across western WY. While moisture with this
feature will be limited, there is just enough to bring some light
snow to the far NW mountains tonight into Saturday. The other
impact with this wave will be tightening of the sfc gradient,
bringing gusty winds. These winds will be focused on the higher
elevations of the Absarokas and Winds, and across the main wind
corridor from RKS to CPR. Models have backed off a bit from
yesterday with respect to highest gusts, but these areas will
still see gusts above 30mph during the afternoon, with the most
prone areas along Outer Drive and the Clark vicinity may see a
gusts to 60 still during the afternoon. Winds will again produce
warmer temperatures in the lee of mountain ranges, but will not
be placed well to disturb the cold pools in lowest basins.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Thursday)
Issued at 138 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

The long term pattern is dominated by a broad trough across the
western half of the US. The depth of this trough pushes the main
active storm pattern farther south into the Four Corners region,
leaving the northern Rockies in lighter westerly flow. This will
be enough to keep a chance for light snow going each day through
the middle of the week. Any accumulation currently looks to be
limited to late Sunday into early Monday, with higher elevations
generally getting 2 to 4 inches over a 24 hour period. Enough of
this flow may briefly surge into southern WY Sunday evening,
adding up to an inch of snow along the I-80 corridor. The
overarching trough will keep a somewhat colder regime in place
across the state through the week, with temps generally around 5
degrees below normal for January.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon)
Issued at 1036 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

Conditions to remain VFR for most terminals over the next 24 hours.
Low ceilings have persisted at KJAC, and are expected to continue
through this afternoon. Scattered to broken high clouds will
continue to pass overhead through tonight. Clouds lower across
western WY this evening, but cigs to remain well above MVFR, except
at KJAC where MVFR cigs will persist. VCSH are possible at KJAC
starting at 10Z Saturday, with lesser chance around KPNA. Wind
remains breezy at KCPR from the southwest, with gusts 30 to 40 knots
through the TAF period. Patchy fog is again possible at KRIW tonight.

Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for
the latest information on icing and turbulence forecasts.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued AT 138 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

Ridging aloft today will strengthen any inversions already in
place, limiting overall mixing and dispersal across the state
Friday. A weak system moving through Saturday will bring some
gustier winds to the higher elevations and across Sweetwater an
Natrona Counties, but this will still struggle to break up any
inversions, keeping mixing and dispersal poor. Another round of
light snow moves into the western mountains and Sweetwater County
on Sunday, with light accumulations expected.

&&

.RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...Straub
LONG TERM...Straub
AVIATION...Hensley
FIRE WEATHER...Straub

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Riverton WY
924 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

WYZ001>020-022>030-141400-
Yellowstone National Park-Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-
North Big Horn Basin-Southwest Big Horn Basin-
Southeast Big Horn Basin-Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains-
Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn Mountains Southeast-
Northeast Johnson County-Southeast Johnson County-
Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains-Jackson Hole-
Wind River Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East-
Upper Wind River Basin-Wind River Basin-Lander Foothills-
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-
Natrona County Lower Elevations-Casper Mountain-Star Valley-
Salt River and Wyoming Ranges-Upper Green River Basin Foothills-
Upper Green River Basin-South Lincoln County-
Rock Springs and Green River-Flaming Gorge-East Sweetwater County-
924 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Western and Central Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Areas of blowing snow across central Wyoming due to southwest wind 20
to 35 mph. The wind increases tonight and gusts 40 to 60 mph may
occur on the south side of Casper after midnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Saturday...Areas of blowing snow continue in portions of central
Wyoming.

Saturday through Wednesday...Snow chances return for the west, and
persist through Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Riverton WY
755 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

WYZ019-020-140000-
Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range-
Natrona County Lower Elevations-
Including the cities of Jeffrey City and Casper
755 AM MST Fri Jan 13 2023

...Areas of Blowing Snow Through this Afternoon...

This is a special weather statement from the National Weather
Service Office in Riverton.

* WHAT...Areas of blowing snow due to southwest wind 20 to 35 mph.

* WHERE...Natrona County and southeast Fremont County, including
  I-25 north of Casper, US 20/26 west of Casper, Wyoming Highway
  220 southwest of Casper, and US 287 through Jeffrey City.

* WHEN...Through 5 PM Friday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Gusty southwest wind is likely to continue
  overnight and into Saturday.