863 FXUS65 KCYS 140556 AFDCYSArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Cheyenne WY 1155 PM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Widespread rainfall and scattered thunderstorms for most of southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska Saturday afternoon through Sunday. A few strong thunderstorms possible across western Nebraska.
- Rainfall changing to snow above 10000 feet Saturday night. Snow accumulations up to 3 inches for the higher mountains of southeast Wyoming.
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.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 400 PM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
Unsettled weather continues across the area this afternoon as the upper level low over the Four Corners region slowly lifts off to the northeast. The environment over most of the area is fairly marginal for strong to severe thunderstorms, but the central/southern Nebraska panhandle will need to be monitored. There, we have MLCAPE approaching 1000 J/kg with around 30 knots of effective bulk shear. This area has the best potential for a few isolated strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and strong winds. Elsewhere, weaker instability and marginal shear in the place of fairly strong forcing suggest widespread showers with scattered (mainly sub-severe) thunderstorms. These area already expanding across southeast Wyoming, and will continue to spread to the northeast through the rest of the afternoon and evening hours. Locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and small hail will be possible in these areas, but lightning is probably the primary hazard.
Look for a messy synoptic setup overnight as the upper level low moves across the area. Forecasts show a highly disorganized wind field aloft, with a decent surface low trying to develop underneath over our High Plains areas. Cyclogenesis over the area generally means a fairly low confidence forecast as the complex and fine scale dynamics can be difficult to pin down. Most of the area should see thunder becoming more limited after about 9PM, transitioning to more stratiform rainfall. However, elevated instability will remain present over the Nebraska panhandle, and we could see embedded thunder all through the night there, most likely around the Chadron to Alliance area. There is quite a bit of uncertainty regarding the coverage and location of the overnight shower activity. Some models show a weak signature loosely resembling a TROWAL developing over southeast Wyoming and then moving into the Nebraska panhandle Sunday morning. This would keep light to moderate rainfall (with isolated heavier rainfall in cores that tap into the limited instability remaining) going across much of the Nebraska panhandle and southeast Wyoming along and south of the I-80 corridor. If this doesn`t materialize though, we may see much more limited rainfall overnight into Sunday morning. PoPs were dropped slightly with this update, mainly in Converse, Niobrara, Goshen, and Sioux counties where there is lower confidence in forcing supporting rainfall. Snow levels will also be dropping down to around 10 kft tonight, which means that the highest peaks of southeast Wyoming can expect to see some light snowfall.
Heading into Sunday, look for chillier temperatures and breezy northwest flow as the storm system departs. Scattered showers will likely be lingering around the Nebraska panhandle in the morning. Limited instability returning for Sunday afternoon may produce some isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, but this is expected to be fairly limited.
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.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Issued at 400 PM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
Monday...The next shortwave trough aloft moves into western Wyoming, and with adequate low and mid level moisture, we expect to see isolated to widely scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. It will be warmer based on the 700 mb temperatures.
Tuesday...The shortwave trough aloft moves overhead near peak heating, sparking scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Somewhat cooler in the wake of a cold front and with more cloud cover and precipitation coverage.
Wednesday...The next shortwave trough aloft moves across Wyoming, with somewhat drier air advecting in, thus only isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms are expected.
Thursday...Northwest flow aloft develops, with drier air moving in at low and mid levels, producing a drier day. 700 mb temperatures near 10 Celsius will produce a warmer day.
Friday...A slow warming trend continues as the ridge aloft moves overhead, and the atmosphere remains relatively dry. 700 mb temperatures rise to near 11 Celsius.
Saturday...Slightly cooler again as the next progressive shortwave trough aloft passes overhead, along with a weak cold frontal passage. Looks like enough low and mid level moisture to produce isolated to scattered late day showers and thunderstorms.
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.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1155 PM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
Low confidence Aviation forecast tonight through early Sunday with models in poor agreement and no longer showing the storm system redeveloping across western/central Nebraska tonight. Expect periods of light rain for KCYS, KLAR, and most of the western Nebraska terminals into early to mid Sunday morning.
HAZARDS/WEATHER TRENDS: Expect VFR conditions to prevail for all terminals with occiasional MVFR VIS and CIGS at KLAR, KCYS and possibly KSNY in the moderate to heavy rain showers. Rain should end by 15z for KCYS and KLAR, and not until 18z to 21z for KSNY and KBFF.
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.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WY...None. NE...None.
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SHORT TERM...MN LONG TERM...RUBIN AVIATION...TJT
NWS CYS Office Area Forecast Discussion