GILLETTE, Wyo. — The National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota, predicts that warm, dry weather will continue into next week for Campbell County residents. High temperatures are expected to be 5-12 degrees above seasonal averages, making conditions ideal for increased fire danger.
On Thursday, skies will remain clear and sunny, with temperatures reaching the 80s across the plains and the 70s in the county’s higher elevations. Calm conditions will give way to light wind shifts as a weak trough moves through the area.
A more significant weather change will occur Friday, when a dry cold front passes through northeastern Wyoming. Winds are expected to pick up behind the front, with gusts up to 40 mph in parts of Campbell County. Despite this, afternoon temperatures are expected to remain above normal, with dry air limiting any significant cooling.
An upper ridge will return to the region over the weekend and early next week, keeping skies clear and temperatures warm. Highs will range from the upper 70s to mid-80s, with overnight lows in the upper 40s to low 50s.
The extended period of dry weather will also maintain elevated fire weather conditions throughout the area. Humidity levels are expected to drop into the 10%-20% range in the afternoons, especially on Friday, when gusty winds and low moisture may make fire spread more likely.
Forecasters said rain chances would be low until possibly late next week.
Detailed Forecast
Today: Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind shifting to the southeast at around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 51. Southeast wind at 7–13 mph shifting to the southwest after midnight and gusting at up to 23 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind at 11–17 mph shifting to the north in the afternoon and gusting at up to 26 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. North wind at 6–11 mph becoming light/variable and gusting at up to 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80. South wind at 8–11 mph, with gusts of up to 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Southeast wind at 9–11 mph, with gusts of up to 21 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind at around 11 mph, with gusts of up to 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind at around 10 mph, with gusts of up to 18 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
More on the weather is available from the NWS in Rapid City.
