CASPER, Wyo. — High winds, scattered thunderstorms and a marginal risk of severe weather are expected to sweep through Casper and Natrona County this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Riverton.
Weather officials issued an update Saturday morning warning that a widespread push of storm-driven winds moving from west to east could bring gusts between 50 and 70 mph to central Wyoming. The primary window for the strongest wind hazard in Natrona County is expected between 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.
In addition to damaging winds, the weather service noted a marginal risk for large hail, primarily along and east of Interstate 25 from the Midwest and Glenrock areas into eastern Johnson County. Forecasters estimated about a one in 10 chance for localized hail in the targeted area due to deeper moisture and higher atmospheric instability. The overall threat for tornadoes or flooding remains very low for Natrona County, though isolated heavy rainfall is possible further north in Johnson County and the Big Horn Basin.
For Saturday afternoon, Casper residents can expect scattered showers followed by isolated, potentially severe thunderstorms after noon. Skies will remain partly sunny with a high near 88 degrees. Breezy conditions will develop as south winds at 5–10 mph shift to the west at 15–20 mph, with non-thunderstorm gusts reaching up to 26 mph. The chance of precipitation sits at 50%.
The storm activity is expected to taper off Saturday evening, with isolated thunderstorms lasting until about 10 p.m., followed by a slight chance of showers until 1 a.m. Temperatures will drop to a low around 50 degrees under clearing skies, with north-northwest winds decreasing to 6–11 mph after dark.
Active weather will persist into the conclusion of the weekend. Sunday brings a 50% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms, primarily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It will be noticeably cooler in the wake of Saturday’s front, with a forecast high near 78 degrees and a low Sunday night dipping to 47 degrees.
A secondary weather disturbance will move across the region on Monday, keeping a minor 10% chance of afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast for Casper. Skies are expected to be sunny with a high near 81 degrees. Monday night will see a lingering slight chance of showers before midnight alongside breezy conditions, featuring north-northeast winds between 13 and 18 mph and gusts as high as 28 mph.
Forecasters warn that while northern and central Wyoming receive intermittent moisture, southern Wyoming will face elevated fire weather conditions through early next week due to low humidity, gusty winds and a lack of rain.
More settled conditions are projected to return to Natrona County by midweek. Tuesday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 79 degrees and calm winds. Temperatures will begin a steady warming trend, rising to a high near 84 degrees on Wednesday and 86 degrees on Thursday, before climbing to an unseasonably warm 91 degrees by Friday.
Detailed Forecast
- Today: Scattered showers before noon, then isolated thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a south wind at 5–10 mph shifting to the west at 15–20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tonight: Isolated thunderstorms before 10 p.m., then isolated showers until 1 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 50. Breezy, with a north-northwest wind at 13–18 mph shifting to the north at 6–11 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. West-southwest wind at 9–13 mph shifting to the north-northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Sunday Night: A 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North-northeast wind at 5–9 mph calming after midnight.
- Monday: A 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 81. Light and variable wind shifting to the north at 9–14 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
- Monday Night: A 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a north-northeast wind at 13–18 mph calming after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind shifting to the east-northeast at 5–9 mph in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
- Wednesday Night: A 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
More on the weather is available from the NWS in Riverton.
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