Cheyenne, WY – Wyoming may be heading into a cold, wet, and potentially snowy stretch during the Thanksgiving travel window, as new long-range federal outlooks show above-normal precipitation across the state from November 23 through November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook released Saturday, all of Wyoming is included in a 40–50% probability zone favoring wetter-than-normal conditions. The state sits within one of the strongest early-season cold pools in the northern and central Rockies, a setup that historically supports widespread snow chances during the final week of November.
Western Wyoming—including Jackson, Teton County, and areas along the Tetons and Yellowstone Plateau—is typically the first to see significant early-season snowfall under these patterns. Elevation and colder temperatures favor accumulating snow if any storm systems track across the Intermountain West.
Central portions of the state, including Casper, Riverton, and Lander, also sit firmly within the elevated precipitation zone. Temperatures here may be cold enough for snow or a mix during multiple points of the holiday travel period.
Eastern Wyoming, including Cheyenne, Laramie, Douglas, and Gillette, is positioned near the transition zone between Pacific-driven moisture and Plains storm development. Even lighter snow or mixed precipitation can create travel challenges along I-25 and I-80—two corridors known for rapid weather changes in late November.
While exact snowfall totals and system timing are still unclear, the overall pattern favors at least periodic travel impacts across the state. Air travel may also face delays, particularly at regional airports in Casper, Jackson, and Cheyenne if storms arrive during peak departure days.
Forecasters say clearer details will emerge early next week as short-range models begin capturing individual systems.
Travelers across Wyoming should monitor updated forecasts as the Thanksgiving period approaches.
