GILLETTE, Wyo. — Cooler and breezy conditions are coming today ahead of a potentially record-breaking warm spell Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota, is calling for a high today of 68, with gusty southerly winds. Skies will be sunny and remain mostly clear tonight, when winds are expected to pick up to 17–21 mph with gusts of up to 30 mph.
Wednesday will see a dramatic shift as strong winds usher in much warmer air. The high is expected to soar into the low 80s, with the potential to tie or break daily records. This warm, dry and windy combination will create critical fire weather conditions.
The NWS in Rapid City has already issued a fire weather watch, effective from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Relief from the heat will arrive late in the week, with a cold front bringing cooler and more unsettled weather. There is a chance for precipitation Thursday that could become snow on Friday.
Detailed Forecast
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a southwest wind at 16–21 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Breezy, with a southwest wind at 14–22 mph and gusts as high as 34 mph.
- Thursday: A 40% chance of rain, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 50 by 5 p.m. Southwest wind at 13–18 mph shifting to the north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
- Thursday Night: Rain, mainly after midnight. Low around 33. North wind at 10–15 mph and gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Friday: Rain before noon, then rain likely and possibly mixed with snow. High near 45. North wind at 16–18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Friday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind at 7–14 mph shifting to the southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
More on the weather is available from the NWS in Rapid City.
NOTE: AI tools assisted in publishing this report.
