RIVERTON, Wyo. – Wyoming’s fall colors could come with a chill this weekend as a sharp cold front sweeps across the state, bringing scattered showers, gusty winds, and the first taste of winter for mountain communities. Drivers along Highway 26 and travelers near Casper, Jackson, and the Wind River Range should prepare for sudden weather changes and slippery mountain passes by late Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Riverton, an influx of tropical moisture meeting colder air will bring rain and wet snow to western Wyoming Saturday through Sunday. The higher elevations near Yellowstone and the Tetons could see light snow accumulation, while valleys near Riverton and Lander may experience their first frost of the season by early Monday.
Temperatures will dip sharply behind the front, with highs in the upper 50s and lows plunging into the upper 20s in western basins. Residents are urged to protect plants, disconnect hoses, and prepare vehicles for freezing conditions as the cold settles in. Winds may gust up to 25 mph in open areas, adding an extra chill to the air.
By Tuesday, drier skies return with more typical fall sunshine and mild afternoons near 60°F. However, another system could bring scattered showers late next week.
Five-Day Forecast for Riverton, Wyoming:
Friday: Partly sunny, high near 72°F.
Saturday: Breezy with increasing clouds, high 73°F. Chance of showers late.
Sunday: Showers early, then clearing, high 57°F.
Monday: Mostly sunny and colder, low 28°F, high 56°F.
Tuesday: Sunny, high near 62°F, light wind.
