RIVERTON, Wyo. – The calm before the next winter shift lingers across central Wyoming this morning, the sky clear and the air brisk near 34°F. It’s a tranquil scene for now — but forecasters say a new pattern is forming that could bring colder air, gusty winds, and light snow as Thanksgiving week begins.
The National Weather Service in Riverton reports that the weekend will stay dry and sunny, with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s — ideal for outdoor plans or early holiday travel preparations. However, the next weather maker arrives between Monday and Wednesday, as a series of Pacific disturbances drops into the region.
Models show light snow and strong northwest winds developing across western and northern Wyoming early next week. Higher elevations near the Wind River and Absaroka Ranges could see up to an inch or two of accumulation, while lower valleys, including Riverton, may pick up a light coating. Gusty winds could create brief travel slowdowns along U.S. 26 and Route 287, especially for high-profile vehicles.
By midweek, the pattern turns colder. Daytime highs dip into the 30s, and early Thanksgiving morning may start in the teens under partly sunny skies — a clear sign that winter is setting in.
Nationally, meteorologists are watching a broader system that could deliver 3–10 inches of snow across the northern Rockies, Midwest, and Great Lakes between Nov. 25 and Dec. 3, signaling an early-season shift toward colder, stormier weather.
For now, Riverton’s stretch of sunshine offers a brief, quiet pause — the kind of calm Wyoming residents know never lasts long in November.
Five-Day Forecast for Riverton, WY:
Fri: 51/24 – Sunny, calm winds.
Sat: 48/21 – Mostly sunny, light breeze.
Sun: 47/22 – Sunny, mild.
Mon: 49/17 – Slight chance of snow late.
Tue: 34/12 – Breezy, light snow possible.
