Over 1.3 million readers this year!

Mild today, but incoming arctic blast threatens Gillette with extreme cold

The fall and winter colors collided for a scenic view across the fishing lake at Dalbey Memorial Park on Wednesday. (RJ Morgan/County 17)

GILLETTE, Wyo. — Enjoy the sunshine and mild temperatures today, because a blast of arctic air is heading to town. The National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota, is warning of a dramatic shift in the weather beginning Friday, bringing frigid temperatures, strong winds and a chance of snow.

Today, expect sunny skies with a high near 49 degrees. Despite the mild temperature, windchill values could dip as low as 19 degrees early this morning. Southwest winds will be breezy, gusting at up to 29 mph.

Clouds will gather tonight as temperatures drop to around 21 degrees.

A strong cold front sweeps into the region on Friday, bringing a chance of light snow Friday into Saturday. This will send temperatures plummeting below single digits, as well as below zero, as an arctic air mass moves in. (National Weather Service graphic)

The real change arrives Friday with a 40% chance of snow. Temperatures will plummet throughout the day, falling to around 14 degrees by 5 p.m. Be prepared for strong north winds with gusts of up to 41 mph, making it feel as cold as minus 4 degrees. While snow accumulation is expected to be less than an inch, blowing snow could reduce visibility.

The frigid temperatures continue into the weekend. Friday night, expect a low around 3 degrees with windchill values dipping to minus 9. Saturday’s high will struggle to reach 10 degrees with a 20% chance of flurries.

The coldest air arrives Saturday night and into early next week. Temperatures will plummet to a bone-chilling minus 16 degrees Saturday night, with Sunday’s high barely reaching minus 2 degrees. Windchill values will be dangerously low, so limit time outdoors and dress in layers if venturing out.

Stay Safe and Warm

The NWS in Rapid City advises residents to prepare for the extreme cold by:

  • Dressing in layers of warm clothing
  • Limiting time outdoors and covering exposed skin
  • Checking on elderly neighbors and those susceptible to cold
  • Bringing pets indoors
  • Protecting pipes from freezing

This arctic blast is expected to linger through Monday, with a gradual warmup beginning Tuesday.

Detailed Forecast

  • Today: Sunny, with a high near 49. Windchill values as low as 19 early on. Southwest wind at 14–17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
  • Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 21. Southwest wind at 10–14 mph shifting to the northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.
  • Friday: A 40% chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with temps falling to around 14 by 5 p.m. Windchill values as low as minus 4. Windy, with a north wind at 16–21 mph increasing to 25–30 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. New snow accumulation of less than 1 inch possible.
  • Friday Night: A slight chance of snow before 11 p.m., followed by a chance of flurries. Cloudy, with a low around 3. Windchill values as low as minus 9. North wind at 10–15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Saturday: A chance of flurries before 11 a.m., followed by a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 10. Northwest wind at 11–15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around minus 16. North wind at 6–11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high near minus 2. West wind at 6–8 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
  • Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around minus 22. Northwest wind at 6–9 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Sunny and cold, with a high near minus 2.
  • Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around minus 14.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.
  • Tuesday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11.
  • Wednesday: A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 24.

More on the weather is available from the NWS in Rapid City.


NOTE: AI tools assisted in the publication of this report.

Related