Central Wyoming Braces for Fire Weather as Temperatures Climb
CASPER, Wyo. — Central Wyoming is facing elevated fire danger this week as unseasonably warm temperatures and strong winds create ideal conditions for wildfires. A fire weather watch is in effect for Casper, Johnson, and Fremont counties through Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Riverton.
The NWS forecasts southwest winds gusting up to 48 mph coinciding with a high of 82°F on Wednesday afternoon. This combination represents a peak in fire danger for the week before a cold front arrives Thursday, bringing temperatures back into the 50s.
The fire weather watch is active from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. Meteorologists predict west winds between 30 and 40 mph with gusts potentially reaching 65 mph. Coupled with humidity levels as low as 13% and temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s, the NWS warns that any fires that ignite could spread rapidly.
Detailed Forecast for Casper, Wyoming
Today will be mostly cloudy with a high near 68°F and light winds. The warming trend will continue Tuesday, with a high of 74°F and increasing wind gusts up to 33 mph.
Relief from the heat is expected Wednesday night as a cold front moves south across the state. This front will lower Thursday’s high to 59°F, with overnight lows returning to the 30s. Although some light rain may occur in far northern Wyoming, the central part of the state is expected to remain dry through the complete of the week.
- Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68°F. Light and variable wind shifting to the west-northwest at 6–11 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Tonight: Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 43°F. Northwest wind at 5–10 mph becoming light, and variable.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74°F. Breezy, with a west wind at 8–13 mph increasing to 17–22 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56°F. Windy, with a west-southwest wind at 13–18 mph increasing to 20–25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82°F. Windy, with a southwest wind at 18–23 mph increasing to 28–33 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43°F. Windy, with a west wind at 21–31 mph shifting to the west-northwest at 6–11 mph. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59°F. Breezy, with a north-northeast wind at 10–18 mph and gusts as high as 29 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31°F. Blustery.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55°F.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31°F.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68°F.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42°F.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76°F. Breezy.
More detailed weather information is available from the NWS in Riverton.
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