Buffalo, Wyoming 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

082
FXUS65 KRIW 041111
AFDRIW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Riverton WY
511 AM MDT Fri Apr 4 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Cold front this Friday morning with scattered light snow
  showers and breezy winds.

- Diminishing winds and snow Friday evening, ending overnight.

- Dry conditions and warming trend over the weekend into much
  of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 111 AM MDT Fri Apr 4 2025

Ongoing light snow showers across much of the areas east of the
Divide to include the Wind River and Bighorn Basins. No
significant accumulations are expected outside the higher
terrain for the Bighorns and Casper Mountain. Best probabilities
for over 2-4 inches in these areas at 40-50%. Otherwise, limited
snowfall in the lower basins less than an inch the most likely
outcome (80-90%). The associated cold front has finally made its
move southward with the eastward progressing longwave trough as
the PFJ picks up in momentum digging the PVA further away from
the upper Rockies. It will be through by sunrise Friday morning
with gusty north to northeasterly winds through early afternoon
diminishing towards evening and sunset. With improving skies
late in the day, expect these winds to become non-existent into
the overnight hours with radiational cooling. Snow chances will
continue to linger but diminish through the afternoon and
evening hours, mainly for the higher terrain across much of the
CWA ending overnight after midnight. Cooler temperatures below
average for this time of year as expected with a cold front, so
no surprise there. Overall, impacts are a high minimum at best
but a chilly and breezy end to the work week will be in store,
so be prepared.

Over the weekend, an upper level ridge builds in from the west
over the upper Rockies allowing for dry conditions and a warming
trend well into next week. The only chances for precipitation
next week will be late Tuesday through early Thursday across
the norther part of the state as the ridge flattens on top with
the PFJ regressing southward over Montana. With zonal flow
aloft, these quick moving shortwaves look to have no impacts at
this time. Otherwise, ridging builds back in late Thursday and
into the following weekend as well with above average and dryer
than average conditions continuing. As a result, the only things
to keep an eye on will be rising waterways due to snowmelt and
some elevated fire conditions. River forecasts currently show
some rises but nothing close to action stage, and fire weather
will be limited due to green-up and no areas with critical
fuels.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 511 AM MDT Fri Apr 4 2025

Snow chances continue through about the first 6 hours of the TAF
period, with upslope favoring the KLND/KRIW area, as well as KCPR.
Otherwise, snow showers are more scattered for other sites. Flight
conditions will range from VFR to IFR with snow and snow showers.
Clouds will slowly erode through the afternoon, with lingering MVFR
ceilings, even after snow has ended. VFR conditions expected at all
sites by the end of the period.

Models are indicating some increased snow shower chances around
KBPI/KPNA and KJAC this afternoon. This would be more of a `hit or
miss` scenario, so PROB30 groups were included in those TAFs.
Slightly higher confidence at KPNA has resulted in a prevailing
group.

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...Lowe
AVIATION...Wittmann