222 FXUS65 KRIW 070256 AFDRIWArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Riverton WY 856 PM MDT Mon Oct 6 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Cold, near to below freezing, temperatures tonight. Thus, a Freeze Warning is in effect for southern Wyoming and lower elevations east of the Divide Tuesday morning.
- There is a 40-70% chance of fog development tonight across portions of the Wind River Basin, Star Valley, Jackson Hole, and eastern Sweetwater County.
- Dry weather with near to above normal temperatures Tuesday through Thursday.
- Precipitation chances (30-60%) return Friday and continue into next weekend, especially west of the Divide, along with cooler temperatures.
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.UPDATE... Issued at 146 PM MDT Mon Oct 6 2025
Precipitation has ended across the area as the previous system fully departs. Some lower cloud cover remains early this afternoon, but this is expected to clear in the coming hours as drier air moves in aloft. This clearing will make for a cold night, bringing sub- freezing temperatures to many locations that have not yet seen them this season. Accordingly, a Freeze Warning is now in effect across southern Wyoming and lower elevations east of the Divide. Fog is also possible tonight with the best chances (60-70%) across Jackson Hole, Star Valley, and the Wind River Basin.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 212 AM MDT Mon Oct 6 2025
The remaining trough axis continues to drift southward today, but will still be producing some light precip across central WY through around noon today. As the trough axis moves south, it will allow northerly flow aloft to begin to carve out the low clouds across the state. Most areas should be nearly clear by late this afternoon. With the core of the coldest temps with this system still in the vicinity, temperatures will struggle to reach back into the 50s this afternoon. With clear skies tonight, another round of freezing temperatures is expected across all of western and central WY.
Behind this trough, a large ridge builds across the Intermountain West, paired against a large cutoff low settling just off the PacNW Coast. This should keep the weather more tranquil for the latter half of the week, allowing temps to recover back to near to just above normal in the 60s to near 70.
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.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 451 PM MDT Mon Oct 6 2025
VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the period, with a mostly clear sky and light winds. Some fog is possible again tonight; have highlighted these chances with VCFG and FEW008 groups in the TAFs. Confidence remains low, as most models are not showing fog, but cold overnight temperatures, a clear sky, and recent moisture favor fog development again. Will have another chance to look over things with the next TAF issuance.
Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for the latest information on icing and turbulence forecasts.
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.RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Freeze Warning from 1 AM to 9 AM MDT Tuesday for WYZ003>006- 010-011-017>020-028>030.
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UPDATE...Myers DISCUSSION...Straub AVIATION...Wittmann
NWS RIW Office Area Forecast Discussion