Jackson Hole, Wyoming

... A major change to colder and snowy weather is headed for much of
central and western Wyoming Thursday night through Sunday...

A cold storm system over the Gulf of Alaska is forecast to drop into
the Great Basin on Thursday and then stall out over the southern
Idaho... northern Utah area Friday into Saturday... moving slowly
northeast through Sunday. At the same time... cold air will plunge
southward out of Canada providing for strong upslope east of The
Divide... especially Thursday night through Sunday. Snow will likely
develop in the mountains by Thursday night... possibly becoming heavy
at times and continuing through Sunday morning... then taper off
through Sunday evening. The most significant mountain snowfall will
likely be over the Wind River mountains... East Slope of the
absarokas... Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains... southern big horns and
Casper Mountain.

The lower elevations of central and southwest Wyoming will also have
the potential for significant snowfall Friday through Sunday. The
first piece of this system will bring an increasing chance of rain
showers to these areas Thursday. Colder air and increasing upslope
flow will develop Thursday night and Friday with rain changing over
to snow. The Cody foothills will likely see rain change over to
snow by sunrise Friday and possibly the Lander foothills. It
also appears that other areas such as the Wind River basin and lower
elevations of Johnson County will also see rain change over to snow
during the day Friday including Riverton and Buffalo. Casper will see
a cold rain or rain and snow mixture Friday... possibly changing over
to all snow by afternoon. All areas will see snow Friday night and
quite possibly through the day Sunday.

Snowfall amounts are still uncertain but the potential for 6 to 12
inches of snow does exist across the lower elevations east of The
Divide and in the Upper Green river basin. Locally higher amounts
are possible near the mountains around Cody... Buffalo... Casper...
Lander and Thermopolis. The East Slope of the Wind River
mountains... The Owl creek and Bridger Mountains... the southern end of
the Absaroka Mountains... the southern big horns and Casper Mountain
may see one to two feet of snow.

Hunters... travellers and others with outdoor interests should pay
close attention to the weather forecast over the next couple days.
The mild... early Fall weather is about to come to an end with a
sudden switch to winter conditions. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or
your favorite media outlet for the latest forecasts and winter
statements.