FXUS65 KRIW 041720

AFDRIW



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Riverton WY

1120 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...



- Dense smoke continues into Tuesday morning across most of 

  northern and western Wyoming. Air quality remains unhealthy 

  for sensitive groups.



- Weak shower activity possible (10-15%) across the northern

  Absarokas and Bighorns Tuesday afternoon and evening with no

  impacts expected. 



- Dry conditions and a warming trend onward through the rest of

  the work week and into the weekend.



&&



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 100 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026



WV imagery continues to see the upper level low to the northeast

now into Canada with positively tilted troughing stretching to 

the southeast across the northern Rockies. IR shows clears skies

with nothing of note on radar for the CWA. Relatively light 

winds into Tuesday with areas of smoke continuing through much 

of the day until the aforementioned low pushes further east and

high pressure builds back in from the south. On the backside of

this upper level low, a few sporadic showers possible (10-15%) 

for the northern Absarokas and Bighorns, aided by terrain 

induced development for the late afternoon and early evening 

hours. No impacts expected with little to no accumulation 

before quickly pushing east and dying off before sunset and into

the overnight hours Tuesday. Temperatures similar to Monday 

afternoon remaining on the cooler side relative to the weekend 

and last week. 



Beyond Tuesday, expect dry conditions a warming trend through

the remainder of the work week and into the weekend. Northwest

flow continues across the state as the main high to the south

builds in with increasing convergence aloft. As the upper level

flow weakens by Thursday and Friday, temperatures push back 

above average 15 to 20 degrees. Widespread 80s west of the 

Divide and 90s to possible triple digits once again for portions

east of the Divide. Heat and dry conditions extend into the 

weekend and early next week. Fire weather conditions will only 

remain elevated during this time with no stronger winds expected

as the low level flow weakens as well with a degraded pressure 

gradient across much of the state. Smoke conditions will 

improve Wednesday onward as well, with the high pressure 

building in from the south and aforementioned low well to the 

east by this point. 



Upper level ridging continues but becomes more zonal by early

next week as a trough extends across the Pacific northwest. 

This will give some possible better chances of precipitation 

next week with not so hot temperatures as well, but still above 

average with no significant weather pattern change on the 

horizon otherwise.



&&



.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...

Issued at 1120 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026



There is high confidence in dry weather throughout the entire TAF 

period. Breezy winds with gusts around 20kts to 25kts are expected 

after 20Z at KRKS, KBPI, and KPNA before diminishing by 03Z/04Z. 

Breezy north to northeast winds are anticipated at KRIW and KCPR for 

a few hours after sunset Tuesday. Winds at all other terminals 

remain 11kts or less. Smokey skies are expected across the entire 

state. Periods of MVFR visibilities due to smoke/haze are forecast at 

KJAC and KRKS, with lesser confidence in MVFR visibilities at all 

other terminals.



Please see the Aviation Weather Center and/or CWSU ZDV and ZLC for 

the latest information on smoke, icing, and turbulence

forecasts.



&&



.RIW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

Air Quality Alert until 11 AM MDT Wednesday for WYZ001>011-

016>020-022.



&&



$$



DISCUSSION...Lowe

AVIATION...Gerhardt