Weather
Nebraska-Wyoming Freeze Watch: Temperatures Plunge Into Teens and 20s Friday Oct 16
Cheyenne, WY – The first widespread freeze of the season is expected to bring temperatures into the teens and 20s across southeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska early Friday, October 16, prompting a
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-10-15T01:02:36.600Z
Cheyenne, WY – The first widespread freeze of the season is expected to bring temperatures into the teens and 20s across southeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska early Friday, October 16, prompting a Freeze Watch and warnings to protect sensitive plants and outdoor equipment.
According to the National Weather Service NWS in Cheyenne, a Freeze Watch is in effect from midnight Thursday night until 9 a.m. Friday, with temperatures expected to fall below freezing across many lower elevation communities.
Forecasters say a widespread hard freeze is possible outside mountain areas, marking a significant seasonal change for locations that have not yet experienced their first freeze.
Some of the coldest temperatures are forecast near Shirley Basin and Laramie, Wyoming, where lows could reach 19 degrees. Saratoga could fall to 20 degrees, while Cheyenne is expected to reach approximately 26 degrees.
Other forecast lows include 22 degrees in Garrett, 23 degrees in Douglas, 24 degrees in Bill and 25 degrees in Redbird.
Across western Nebraska, temperatures are also expected to drop sharply. Scottsbluff, Alliance and Bridgeport could reach approximately 25 degrees, while Sidney and Chadron may fall to around 27 degrees.
The widespread freezing temperatures could damage or kill unprotected sensitive vegetation, including gardens, flowers and outdoor plants.
Residents are encouraged to bring potted plants indoors, cover vulnerable vegetation and protect outdoor equipment that could be affected by freezing conditions.
The NWS emphasized that lower elevations will experience their first freeze of the season, with much of the region waking up to temperatures well below 30 degrees Friday morning.
The coldest conditions are expected overnight Thursday into early Friday , with the Freeze Watch scheduled to expire at 9 a.m.
Residents across southeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska should monitor updated forecasts and any changes to freeze related alerts at weather.gov/cys.