Cheyenne Faces Hard Freeze and First Snow After Mild Autumn Start
Mild autumn weather across southeast Wyoming is giving way to rain, mountain snow, and the season’s first freezing temperatures, according to a National Weather Service forecast. Cheyenne opened the week with sunshine and a high near 72 degrees before southwest winds reached 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
A significant pattern change is swapping the region’s recent warm, dry conditions for much cooler and wetter weather. Most lower elevations will receive rain, while higher peaks accumulate snow as a cold front moves across Laramie County.
Temperature Drops and Expected Precipitation Totals
The incoming cold front will knock afternoon temperatures down by 10 to 15 degrees from Monday to Tuesday. Tuesday brings mostly cloudy skies, a high near 60 degrees, and a rain chance that climbs to 80 percent by Tuesday night with potential embedded thunderstorms and a low of 37 degrees, the National Weather Service reported.
Wednesday marks the coldest daytime temperatures of the week with a high near 47 degrees. Colder air may cause rain to mix with morning snow showers before transitioning back to rain in the afternoon. Rain totals across southern and western sections of southeast Wyoming could reach between a half-inch and an inch, with snow levels potentially dropping to between 5,000 and 6,000 feet if cold air lingers.
Widespread Freezing Conditions End Growing Season
Widespread freezing conditions are expected to develop late Wednesday night and Thursday night, with overnight temperatures dropping to 33 degrees on Wednesday night and 28 degrees on Thursday night under mostly clear skies. Meteorologists stated these subfreezing temperatures will likely end the growing season throughout Laramie County.
Elevations above 8,500 feet in the Snowy and Sierra Madre ranges will receive an early blast of winter, seeing their first heavy snow on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rapid Weekend Warmup Following the Cold Snap
The cold snap is not expected to linger past Friday. Sunshine returns on Friday with a high near 55 degrees and an overnight low of 33. Temperatures will rebound quickly over the weekend, reaching a high near 70 degrees on Saturday and 71 degrees on Sunday in Cheyenne.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Cheyenne experience its coldest temperatures this week?
Cheyenne will see its coldest daytime highs near 47 degrees on Wednesday, while the coldest overnight low is expected on Thursday night at 28 degrees under mostly clear skies.
How much precipitation is expected from this weather system?
Rain across southern and western sections of southeast Wyoming is projected to total between a half-inch and an inch, with higher mountain elevations accumulating significant snow.
Will the subfreezing temperatures affect local agriculture?
Meteorologists indicate that widespread freezing conditions on Wednesday and Thursday nights will likely end the growing season across Laramie County.
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