GILLETTE, Wyo. — Gillette and surrounding areas in northeastern Wyoming should prepare for a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota. Some of these storms could produce gusty winds.
The weather service noted in its Monday morning forecast discussion that a cool front moving across the region could create unstable atmospheric conditions, potentially triggering the development of isolated thunderstorms. While stronger storms are possible, a lack of significant moisture in the atmosphere may limit their overall intensity. If strong storms do develop, the primary threat would be strong wind gusts.
Showers are expected to persist into Wednesday as a northwest flow of air remains over the region. Higher elevations in the Black Hills could see some light snow. Most of the area is anticipated to receive at least some measurable rain from this weather system, with the northern Black Hills, far-western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming potentially seeing over one-tenth of an inch of precipitation.
Looking ahead, a warming trend is expected to begin Thursday and continue through the weekend. By Friday and Saturday, there is a high probability of unseasonably mild temperatures, with daytime highs potentially reaching the mid-70s. Coupled with dry conditions and breezy winds, particularly on Thursday, this could lead to elevated fire weather conditions later in the week.
Detailed Forecast
- Today: Sunny, with a high near 66. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. South wind 6 to 8 mph.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 8 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a west wind 9 to 14 mph becoming northwest 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Breezy, with a northwest wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North wind 7 to 13 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
- Saturday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Sunday: A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.
More on the weather is available at from the NWS in Rapid City.
NOTE: AI tools assisted in the publication of this report.
