GILLETTE, Wyo. — Although Gillette sits to the west of where meteorologists believe the strongest of today’s severe storms will be, the area isn’t entirely out of the threat zone.
A large portion of Wyoming is inside the level 2 of 5 risk area today, including all of northeastern Wyoming. Storm chances for Gillette are moderately low at 30% as thunderstorms are expected to be scattered, but any storms that spin up will have the potential to produce damaging 75 mph winds, large hail up to 2 inches in diameter and tornadoes, the National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota, said.
Today’s forecast calls for a high of 90 under partly sunny skies. Winds will come from the south at 7–12 mph and shift to the north at 13–18 mph this afternoon. A 20% chance for isolated and scattered thunderstorms remains in the forecast through 9 p.m. Skies will continue to be partly cloudy as the low falls to around 52. Expect breezy conditions tonight with north winds at 15–20 mph and gusts of up to 31 mph. After midnight, winds should die down to 7–12 mph, according to the forecast.
In the wake of today’s storm system will be cooler air, helping limit the high to the 70s for Friday and Saturday. Friday’s forecast high is 77 under mostly sunny skies. Breezy conditions continue with winds from the northwest at 6–11 mph increasing to 15–20 mph in the afternoon. A mostly clear Friday night will see a low near 43 with continuing north winds at 16–21 mph falling to 9–14 mph after midnight.
Saturday will be sunny with a high of 76. Winds will pick up closer to the evening from the southeast from 11–16 mph to 17–22 mph after midnight. The low will be near 56.
Sunday will be hot with a forecast high of 95. That will come with a south wind at 17–20 mph and gusts of up to 30 mph. There’ll be a slight chance for thunderstorms before midnight. Skies overnight will be partly cloudy and the low will be near 58.
For the upcoming week, Monday will see a high near 81, Tuesday a high of 78 and Wednesday a high of 82. Overnight lows will be in the low 50s, if the forecast holds up.
More on the weather is available from the National Weather Service in Rapid City.
