GILLETTE, Wyo. — Northeastern Wyoming, including Campbell County, is facing elevated fire weather conditions and gusty winds through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota.
A developing warm front and an approaching upper-level trough will bring significant weather changes to the region. Today, Gillette can expect gusty westerly winds, with gusts potentially exceeding 30 mph. Minimum relative humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 15%, contributing to an increased fire risk.
Conditions will leave northeastern Wyoming under an elevated fire weather threat.
“The grassland fire danger will be high to very high across much of the northwest and west central South Dakota plains,” the NWS in Rapid City said in its hazardous weather outlook, which also covers portions of northeastern Wyoming.
A cold front moving through the area late tonight and into Friday morning will shift winds to the northwest and potentially bring light rain or snow showers, primarily to the far northeastern areas of Wyoming. Gusty northwest winds are expected to follow, with potential for gusts exceeding 45 mph.
The forecast calls for chances of precipitation through the weekend. Saturday and Sunday, another fast-moving upper low will increase the likelihood of rain and snow. Gusty southwest winds will transition to the northwest. Temperatures may limit snow accumulation on the plains, with potential for light snow in higher elevations.
Temperatures in Gillette are expected to reach a high of around 45 degrees today, with windchill values as low as 17 early in the morning. Tonight, the low will be around 27 degrees. Friday will be sunny with a high near 42. Snow is likely Saturday, especially after noon, with a high near 43.
Detailed Forecast
- Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Windchill values as low as 17 early on. Breezy, with a southwest wind at 16–20 mph and gusts as high as 32 mph.
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Windchill values as low as 16. West wind at around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 42. Windchill values as low as 16. Northwest wind at 10–15 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Southwest wind at 9–14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
- Saturday: Snow likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a southwest wind at 14–20 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
- Saturday Night: A 20% chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 25. Blustery, with a northwest wind at 18–20 mph and gusts as high as 31 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a northwest wind at 14–21 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind at 8–13 mph shifting to the southwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
More on the weather is available from the NWS in Rapid City.
NOTE: AI tools assisted in the publication of this report.
