Chadron, Nebraska 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

254
FXUS65 KCYS 212325
AFDCYS

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
525 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Precipitation chances return by this weekend, with the
  possibility of widespread rain on Saturday.

- Daily shower and storm chances continue Monday through the
  end of the week with slightly above average temperature
  expected until Thursday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 131 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

A bit of uncertainty in the forecast for this afternoon and evening
regarding storm chances. Upper-level ridging over the west continues
to shift eastward into Wyoming today. This will produce strong
subsidence which will work to counteract storms. However, model
soundings and mesoanalysis show quite a bit of instability,
especially east of the Laramie Range. Satellite thus far has
been unimpressive, showing flat topped cumulus fields mainly
around Cheyenne and Laramie. A few isolated instances of
vertical growth have been observed, but have quickly fallen
apart due to the presence of MLCIN. Mesoanalysis does have CIN
eroding away within the next few hours, so it is possible that
by late afternoon and evening, storms could develop given the
instability and lift from a weak upper-level disturbance. Most
CAMs aren`t too exited about storms today. The HRRR has been the
most bullish, but also the most uncertain, flip flopping back
and forth between lots of storms and barely any storms. However,
newest runs of the HRRR seem to be more believable, showing
convection developing this evening over the high terrain and
pushing into the panhandle where it strengthens due to higher
instability. If this is the case, a severe thunderstorm or two
could be possible. Both strong winds and large hail cannot be
ruled out in storms with DCAPE over 1000 J/kg and MUCAPE around
1500 J/kg. Any storms that develop will move out of the area by
midnight tonight, however, cannot rule out nocturnal convection
developing in the panhandle after this. Increased moisture into
the area from precipitation as well as weak southeast flow,
could cause low stratus and patchy fog east of the Laramie Range
early Saturday morning.

The forecast for Saturday looks more certain, with greater chances
for precipitation. Another weak shortwave moving through the ridge
will provide the needed lift and monsoon moisture for storms to
develop. Model soundings show decent instability once again, which
could lead to marginally severe storms. Hi-Res guidance shows widely
scattered storms developing during the mid-afternoon and continuing
through the evening hours. Most hazards will be possible in storms,
including heavy rain due to PWATs in the 90th percentile, large
hail, and strong winds. Hi-Res guidance does show lingering showers
across the area Saturday night, however these should not cause
impacts. Similar conditions are expected on Sunday with another
round of scattered storms. PWATs and instability are weaker on
Sunday, so severe storms are unlikely at this time. Due to less
moisture, models are also hinting at lower coverage of storms on
Sunday.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 131 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Monday...Coverage of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms
increases somewhat by an increase in monsoonal moisture and lowering
700 mb temperatures providing less convective inhibition, CIN,
compared to Sunday. As is this type of pattern, afternoon convection
will be over and near the mountains due to differential heating and
orographic effects, with the activity spreading across the rest of
the forecast area before dissipation by late evening. Warmer
temperatures compared to the previous day due to less cloud cover
and convective coverage.

Tuesday...Similar pattern synoptically to Monday with minor
perturbations in the flow aloft aiding in lift of monsoonal moisture
to produce widely scattered to scattered afternoon convection over
and near our Snowy, Sierra Madre and northern Laramie Ranges, with
the activity spreading eastward across the rest of the forecast area
in the evening. Some lowering of mid level temperatures suggests
daytime maximum temperatures will be a little cooler.

Wednesday...The primary change compared to Tuesday, will be a
reinforcement of the ridge aloft axis over Wyoming, inducing a
return to upslope mechanical lift aiding the areal increase of
showers and thunderstorms, especially east of the mountains and
along the I-25 corridor and eastward. Slight warming trend with 700
mb temperatures near 13 Celsius yielding high temperatures in the
80s.

Thursday-Friday...Monsoonal moisture becomes a bit more scant with
decent westerly flow aloft and with warm temperatures aloft
producing more convective inhibition, CIN, to limit development. A
slight warming trend continues based on mid level, 700 mb
temperature trends.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 525 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Tricky aviation forecast for this period, especially across the
Nebraska Panhandle with showers and thunderstorms rolling through
and the possibility for further development. Do to low confidence on
placement and coverage, kept TS out of the TAFs for the most part
and expect AMDs if further development occurs. For the southeast
Wyoming terminals, scattered showers and storms are pushing
southeast across the region and will continue for the next several
hours. In any storm activity, winds could become erratic and gusty.
There is also the threat for GR in any thunderstorm activity, this
could bring additional aviation hazards. After everything
clears, with the added moisture and wind direction, VIS and CIG
reduction is possible overnight for the Nebraska sites.

&&

.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WY...None.
NE...None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...SF
LONG TERM...RUBIN
AVIATION...RZ