GILLETTE, Wyo. — Gillette can expect a continuation of the recent mild weather through the weekend, with temperatures reaching the mid-40s to low 50s. However, a pattern change is on the horizon, bringing cooler temperatures and the potential for snow early next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota, a weak disturbance will move through the region late Thursday night into Friday morning. While little to no snow accumulation is expected in Gillette, some light snowfall is possible in the northern Black Hills and northeast Wyoming.
Limited moisture will keep any snowfall amounts over the region to almost zero, the NWS in Rapid City reports, though some areas of the northern Black Hills and northeast Wyoming could see some light accumulations under an inch.
Another weak disturbance is expected Saturday into Sunday, with a slight chance of flurries, mainly confined to the Black Hills.
The more significant change arrives Sunday night into Monday, with a stronger cold front bringing a better chance of snow. While confidence in the forecast remains moderate, some models suggest the potential for minor impacts, particularly in the southern half of the region.
This system marks a shift in the overall weather pattern, ushering in cooler temperatures more typical for this time of year. Highs next week will generally range from the upper 20s to upper 30s.
While the long-range forecast hints at a possible warmup toward the following weekend, for now Gillette can enjoy the mild temperatures before the arrival of more seasonal winter weather.
Detailed Forecast
- Today: A chance of rain and snow after 5 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 46. Windchill values as low as 13 early on. Breezy, with a south wind at 18–23 mph shifting to the west at 10–15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tonight: A chance of rain and snow before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of snow after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind at around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Windchill values as low as 18 early on . Southwest wind at 8–13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind at around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Southwest wind at 9–11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind at around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46. South wind at 7–10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
- Sunday Night: A chance of rain before 8 p.m., then rain and snow between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., followed by snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southeast wind at 10–16 mph shifting to the northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.
- Monday: Snow likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
- Monday Night: A slight chance of snow before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13.
- New Year’s Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.
More on the weather is available from the NWS in Rapid City.
NOTE: AI tools assisted with the publication of this report.
