Thunderstorms, Possible Snow Forecast For Cheyenne

Believe it or not, yet another winter storm may be headed our way this week.

The Cheyenne office of the National Weather Service has issued the following statement:

"Today and Tonight (Monday) - High confidence

Pacific storm over the Great Basin will gradually move slowly eastward into Utah and eventually western Colorado
Showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of the storm across southeast Wyoming...and gradually move north and east into western Nebraska by this evening
Some of these thunderstorms will become strong with small hail, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning this afternoon.
Rain will change to snow above 7000 feet west of Interstate 25 tonight. This includes Laramie, Rawlins, Saratoga, and the I80 summit.

Tuesday through AM Wednesday - Low to moderate confidence

Pacific storm will drift eastward and stall near the Wyoming/Colorado/Nebraska border
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect (see attached) for the mountains, including the I-80 summit, and northern Carbon & Albany counties.
Snow levels will lower between 5000 to 6500 feet with rain mixing with/changing to snow in Douglas, Lusk, and Wheatland.
Further south, rain may struggle to change to snow as relatively warm air will remain over Cheyenne, Pine Bluffs, and Torrington. Rain may not change to snow until early Wednesday morning in these locations.
Some of our forecast guidance shows the precipitation ending across the area early on Wednesday as the cold air moves into the region....while others show moderate snowfall lingering through noon.
Snow accumulation forecast will be difficult in these locations due to these uncertainties. In addition, snow will struggle to accumulate on roadways due to a combination of warmer pavement and the timing of the heaviest snowfall during the daytime hours. This is why these areas are not in the Winter Storm Watch and will greatly depend on high snowfall rates. However, please monitor the forecast closely since the specifics may change over the next 24 to 36 hours. The attached total snowfall graphic is not set in stone; but is our most likely scenario based on available data.

If that wasn't enough, another slow moving Pacific Storm is possible beginning late Thursday and lasting until early next weekend. At this time, this storm appears somewhat warmer compared to the one early this week; but may contain more moisture from the Gulf of Mexico resulting in a greater threat of heavy rainfall. More snow is expected in the mountains."

Filed Under: National Weather Service, weather, Winter Storm

Categories: Cheyenne