Rainy Day and Weekend Ahead

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Starting off today let’s talk about why we’re getting so much rain and so many storms. We have moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico due to lower level winds in the atmosphere coming into our area which makes the air very moist and loaded with moisture. Then we have this low pressure system over Cheyenne and extending down into Colorado. That’s providing the energy and lift for showers and storms to get started and fire up. Normally that low would move out of here in a day or two but it’s stuck here due to something called a “Rex Block” pattern. I’ve talked about it before but as a refresher, that high pressure system in the northwestern corner of Wyoming is blocking the normal westerly winds from pushing the low out of the area. With no winds to push it out, the low is stuck over our area for an extended period of time.

Even with all this rain, we’re still experiencing drought conditions. The rain has certainly helped lessen the impacts and the drought itself but more rain is needed for it to completely go away. Fortunately the soil is wet due to the large amount of rain recently and that should also help.

The storms yesterday brought cooler temperatures with them but our lows won’t be affected. We’ll remain in the mid to lower 50s and upper 40s for the eastern parts of the state and cooler to the west.

Tomorrow’s highs will be very similar to today’s, which are cooler than yesterday’s highs and all of last week. Mid 60s and lower 70s will be the norm for a few days including the weekend.

Finally with our extended forecast, thanks to that “Rex Block” pattern showers and storms are possible all week long and into next week for Cheyenne.

For Casper again with this pattern showers and storms are possible through the end of the week and into next week too.

Be prepared for heavy rain, thunder and lightning, and be prepared in case of strong storms moving into the area.

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