Monsoonal moisture continues chance for isolated flash flooding in central, western Wyoming

(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News) CASPER, Wyo. — The National Weather Service in Riverton has issued a Flood Watch for portions of central, north-central and northwest Wyoming, as monsoonal moisture

(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)

CASPER, Wyo. — The National Weather Service in Riverton has issued a Flood Watch for portions of central, north-central and northwest Wyoming, as monsoonal moisture continues to bring the potential for flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall. The Flood Watch remains in effect through Friday evening.

The affected regions include Casper Mountain, Natrona County Lower Elevations, Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains, Southwest Big Horn Basin, Southeast Big Horn Basin, Absaroka Mountains, Cody Foothills, Jackson Hole, North Big Horn Basin, Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains and Yellowstone National Park.

Local communities should remain vigilant as the increased precipitable water values continue to hover over central and western Wyoming, with the highest rain totals expected across the western and northern parts of the state. The weather service warns of locally heavy rain, slow-moving storms and multiple rounds of rain in a row, known as “training storms,” which could lead to high rain amounts and potential localized flooding or increased stream flows. Rainfall rates of 1–3 inches per hour are possible.

Casper residents are advised to exercise caution in hilly terrain and on backcountry roads in foothill areas as these are at risk of increased stream flows due to heavy rainfall and runoff. Motorists are urged not to attempt crossing flooded roads as this poses a significant risk to life and property. Any observed flooding should be promptly reported to local emergency services or law enforcement.

In addition to the flood watch, the forecast for today shows isolated showers followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms after 9 a.m., with some storms possibly producing heavy rain. The day is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Breezy conditions are anticipated, with a west wind of 9–18 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms before 3 a.m., followed by isolated showers and thunderstorms after 4 a.m. Some of these storms could also produce heavy rain. The night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Breezy conditions continue with a west wind of 10–17 mph and gusts as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday is forecast to have scattered showers, with the possibility of thunderstorms after noon and some storms capable of producing heavy rain. The day will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. The wind will shift from west to north in the afternoon, blowing at 11–14 mph and gusting at up to 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday night, there will be isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight with the potential for heavy rain. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. The wind will change from north to light northwest after midnight, blowing at 6–11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon, with some storms capable of producing heavy rain. The day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 75. In the morning, the wind will be light from the north, turning east-northeast at 5–10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday night, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some storms possibly producing heavy rain. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 49. The east-northeast wind will start at 5–10 mph before settling down after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 40%.