Weather
Wyoming Freeze Alert: Riverton Drops to 28° Friday, Oct 16
Riverton, WY – A sharp overnight temperature drop will bring potentially damaging freezing conditions to large portions of central, north central and south central Wyoming Thursday night into Friday m
By Natalie Brooks · 2026-10-15T09:24:11.714Z
Riverton, WY – A sharp overnight temperature drop will bring potentially damaging freezing conditions to large portions of central, north central and south central Wyoming Thursday night into Friday morning, Oct. 16. Temperatures could fall as low as 21 degrees in parts of the warned area, threatening sensitive vegetation, crops and unprotected outdoor plumbing. A Freeze Warning has been issued for numerous communities, including Riverton, Casper, Lander, Thermopolis and Rock Springs, as some of the coldest conditions in the current forecast arrive before the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Riverton, the Freeze Warning takes effect at 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, and remains in effect until 9 a.m. MDT Friday. Subfreezing temperatures between 21 and 28 degrees are expected across the affected areas. Forecasters warn that frost and freezing conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation while potentially damaging outdoor plumbing that has not been protected from the cold.
Freeze Warning Covers Multiple Wyoming Communities The warning extends across a broad section of Wyoming, including portions of the Bighorn Basin, Wind River Basin, Green River Basin and surrounding foothills. Communities specifically identified include Dubois, Jeffrey City, Thermopolis, Rock Springs, Green River, Worland, Casper, Riverton, Lander, Shoshoni, Buffalo, Kaycee and Wamsutter.
Thursday afternoon will provide relatively mild conditions before temperatures drop. Riverton is expected to reach approximately 54 degrees under sunny skies, with northeast winds of 8 to 17 mph and gusts reaching 24 mph. The transition becomes more significant after sunset as skies remain mostly clear and temperatures fall toward the upper 20s.
Temperatures Fall Into the 20s Friday Morning Riverton's overnight low is forecast near 28 degrees, with widespread frost developing mainly after 2 a.m. Friday. Patchy fog could also develop after 1 a.m., potentially reducing visibility on some roads during the early morning hours.
The broader warning area could experience even colder conditions, with temperatures reaching 21 degrees in some locations. These readings would be cold enough to damage unprotected plants and potentially affect exposed outdoor plumbing.
Residents should take precautions Thursday evening by moving sensitive container plants indoors, covering vulnerable vegetation and protecting exposed pipes where necessary. Gardeners and agricultural producers should pay particular attention to the warning because temperatures below freezing can cause damage even during relatively short periods of exposure.
Motorists traveling Interstate 25, Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 26 should also prepare for colder early morning conditions. Patchy fog may affect visibility near Riverton, although the supplied forecast does not identify widespread road closures or significant icing.
Sunshine Returns as Weekend Temperatures Recover Friday morning's frost and fog should gradually give way to sunshine, with Riverton reaching approximately 59 degrees during the afternoon. Winds will remain light, creating a noticeable improvement from the early morning cold.
Temperatures fall to around 30 degrees Friday night, meaning another freezing morning is possible Saturday. However, afternoon temperatures should climb to approximately 67 degrees Saturday under sunny skies, followed by another sunny day Sunday with a high near 66 degrees.
The relatively mild pattern continues into early next week, with highs near 67 Monday and 69 Tuesday. A slight chance of showers returns Tuesday night and Wednesday, although the available forecast does not provide specific precipitation probabilities.
For now, Thursday night's Freeze Warning remains the most significant weather concern. Residents across the affected Wyoming communities should complete cold weather preparations before temperatures fall below freezing.
Are you taking steps to protect outdoor plants or exposed plumbing ahead of Friday morning's freeze?
Five Day Weather Outlook Thursday 10/15: Sunny skies and breezy conditions bring a high near 54 degrees, with northeast wind gusts reaching 24 mph. Temperatures fall sharply Thursday night to approximately 28 degrees, with widespread frost and patchy fog developing early Friday.
Friday 10/16: Widespread frost and fog are expected before midmorning, followed by sunshine and a high near 59 degrees. Calm winds become northerly around 5 mph, while mostly clear skies allow temperatures to fall to 30 degrees overnight.
Saturday 10/17: Sunny skies bring a substantial afternoon warmup, with temperatures reaching approximately 67 degrees. Light south southeast winds are expected, followed by mostly clear skies and an overnight low near 34 degrees.
Sunday 10/18: Another sunny afternoon is expected across Riverton, with temperatures reaching approximately 66 degrees. Mostly clear skies continue Sunday night, allowing temperatures to fall to around 35 degrees.
Monday 10/19: Sunny skies continue across central Wyoming, with an afternoon high near 67 degrees. Mostly clear conditions are expected Monday night, with temperatures falling to approximately 38 degrees.
Extended Weather Outlook: Oct. 20 21 Tuesday, Oct. 20, should bring sunny skies and a high near 69 degrees, continuing the warming trend following Friday's freezing conditions.
A slight chance of showers develops Tuesday night, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures falling to approximately 41 degrees.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, is expected to remain mostly sunny, with a high near 64 degrees and a slight chance of showers.