Wyoming
Wacky Wyoming Weather: 4-Foot Snowdrifts On Beartooth Highway, 80 In…
The Beartooth Highway closed earlier this week in anticipation of a snowstorm at the summit, and it’s a good thing it did.
Between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning, about 5 inches of snow fell along the 68-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 212, blowing into snowdrifts as high as 4 feet in some places. Snowplows have been busy clearing the highway in anticipation of reopening the seasonal highway Thursday afternoon.
Wyoming has entered the last days of the summer season, which officially ends at 6:43 a.m. on Sunday — at least going by the calendar. Snow at this time of year at the highest points of the Cowboy State isn’t a sign of an early winter, but it definitely is a reminder that the seasons are changing quickly.
“It always feels earlier than it should be, but getting snow in the mountains in September is definitely nothing unusual,” said meteorologist Mike Natoli with the National Weather Service Office in Riverton. “If we were seeing the snow in the lower elevations, that would be a little unusual, but that’s not what we expect this month.
Everything’s Seasonal
Despite the Beartooth blizzard, September temperatures across Wyoming have been “seasonal.” High temperatures are still in the 70s and occasionally higher.
“We are forecasting a high of 80 in Cheyenne on Friday,” Natoli said. “We’re still pretty warm, at least for the next two days.”
Natoli said a cold front will move across southern Wyoming over the weekend, dropping daytime temperatures as much as 20 degrees. That could mean snowfall in the Snowy Range and anywhere above 9,000 feet.
“We might see some snow mixing in Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning,” he said. “This will pretty much just be rain at the lower elevations, but those higher elevations will likely see some flakes flying this weekend. If you’ve got hiking plans on Sunday morning, plan for a few icy spots.”
The cold front will primarily impact Colorado and southeast Wyoming. The rest of the Cowboy State will be largely unaffected.
Meteorologist Taylor Wittmann with the NWS Riverton office said the forecast for the rest of Wyoming looks “pretty seasonal” through the weekend and into the first week of fall. In fact, it’s likely to warm up again.
“Through this weekend and the start of next week, we’ll be a little on the cool side, in the 60s to low 70s,” he said. “Starting in the middle of next week, we could increase temperature, maybe into the upper 70s. That’d be a touch warmer than normal, but it’s still looking mostly seasonal.”
Dry Too
The first week of fall might be trending warmer, but it’s also trending drier. If the weekend cold front across southern Wyoming brings any precipitation below 9,000 feet, Natoli doesn’t think it’ll be widespread.
“Most of Wyoming is probably not going to see a lot of rain from the weekend storm system,” he said. “Unfortunately for the regions that need rain the most, like northeast Wyoming, it doesn’t look like it’ll get it this time. The southeastern part of the state has a good chance of seeing rain showers on Monday and Tuesday.”
Wittmann said another system should move into northwestern Wyoming on Monday, bringing another dusting of snow, no more than half an inch, to the Beartooth Highway. Otherwise, there doesn’t seem to be any significant snow or rain in the forecast.
“We’re not seeing anything big come through in the next five or six days,” he said. “We could see some isolated showers in some parts of the state, but we’re not looking at anything widespread. It looks pretty tame for the next week.”
The 80s Are Over?
For most of Wyoming, it already feels like the end of summer. The searing summer heat and triple-digit days are long gone, but there could still be a few spikes before fall fully settles in.
“Cheyenne’s average high is about 80 degrees on Sept. 1,” Natoli said. “By Oct. 1, our average highs are down to about 65 degrees. We lose quite a bit from our averages, so 80-degree days are now 10 to 15 degrees warmer than normal at the end of September. It’s a little hard to get there, but not unprecedented.”
Wittmann wouldn’t be surprised if the warmer regions of Wyoming, like Johnson County and the Bighorn Basin, could still see 80-degree days at the end of September.
“It does depend on where you are. Our warmer places could see some 80-degree days towards the end of this month, but other areas might be done with their 80s for the year.”
First Flurries
Wyoming’s getting ready for the colder months ahead. Several areas in Teton and Sublette counties have already reported their first frosts, and the cold fronts spreading snow across the Beartooths will eventually get strong enough to bring snow low.
Based on current climate and historical analysis, Natoli believes southwest Wyoming has another two to three weeks before the first snow. Cheyenne typically sees its first snow around Oct. 5.
“The earliest snowfall on record in Cheyenne was Sept. 8, which occurred a few years ago in 2020,” he said. “But in 2022, we didn’t get the first snowfall until November. It can come earlier or later, but we’re about three weeks out from our average.”
The first week of fall looks warmer and drier than average for most of Wyoming, with any snowfall still confined to the highest points of the mountains. That’s good news for anyone planning a trek over the Beartooth Highway.
The National Park Service and the Montana Department of Transportation are trying to keep the Beartooth Highway open until mid-October, weather permitting. Based on Wyoming’s short-term forecast, the weather looks permitting.
Wittmann doesn’t see enough additional snow in the forecast to prompt another temporary closure.
“We don’t control road closures and openings, but looking at the forecast, it doesn’t look like they will be getting any significant snow here in the next week,” he said. “It looks pretty tame up there and across most of Wyoming.”
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
A pristine trail town tucked into the breathtaking beauty of western Wyoming, Dubois puts the ‘wild’ in the Wild West. Just 55 miles from Yellowstone National Park and located in the Wind River, Owl Creek, and Absaroka mountain ranges, the town is a welcoming alpine community with stunning views from every street. From enjoying the fresh powder on the winter slopes to hiking, biking, or riding through the wildflower-covered peaks in the summer, Dubois is a year-round destination that offers adventure in every season. In addition to its serene location, Dubois is a vibrant town with lots on the menu from fine dining to lively western-style saloons.
The History of Dubois
The Wind River Valley remained sparsely populated until the late 1800s, when pioneering homesteaders established the first settlements, initiating a small yet lively community. While fur traders, explorers, and some Native American tribes were familiar with the area, it was the arrival of homesteaders that helped shape its identity. This led to the emergence of a town, supported by the expansion of cattle and sheep ranching.
Dubois was officially incorporated in 1914 and grew over the years, benefiting from its logging, farming, and tourism sectors. Today, with a population of 778 as of the 2022 census, Dubois remains true to its Western heritage, offering visitors an authentic cowboy experience.
Things to Do in Dubois
Get that cowboy experience at one of the oldest guest ranches in the country, the CM Ranch which opened in 1927. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced rider, or never been on a horse, the experienced staff at this busy dude ranch will show you the ropes. Guests can choose their own adventure, from riding trails through desert badlands and mountain highlands to fly fishing in the backcountry.
Dubois is located in mountain country, possibly the only place where you can observe three distinct types of mountains: those formed by glaciers, volcano-created peaks, and ranges caused by shifting underground plates. It is a haven and playground for nature lovers. If you prefer walking over riding, numerous local guides are available to help you explore the trails and enjoy the best vistas. For those who prefer to go alone, the Bonneville Pass Trail offers a scenic climb through valley meadows, while the Five Pockets Trail provides spectacular views of Horse Creek with the Absaroka Mountains as a backdrop.
Look out for ancient carvings while you are exploring; Wyoming is home to stunning examples of rock art. In the Wind River Range, you will find the Torrey Lake Petroglyph District, which includes around 175 well-preserved petroglyphs. For more information on where to see the best pictograms or find accessible trails, speak to the staff at the Dubois Museum. This specialty museum traces the geology of the area, its early inhabitants, and its history of homesteading. They also offer custom guided tours of petroglyphs, native sheep trap and buffalo drive sites, and more.
Dubois is a favorite spot for anglers, featuring pristine lakes, streams, and rivers teeming with fish like rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. Try casting your line at Torrey Creek. The waters aren’t just for fishing; you can also enjoy kayaking or canoeing, or relax with a float trip guided by Wind River Float Trips.
In winter, the country is even more beautiful, and there are still lots of ways to enjoy it. Go ice-fishing, take a dog-sled ride through the snowy wonderland, or try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Downtown Dubois
Many Wild West legends have strolled through Dubois, including the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy. While things may have changed over time, the town still radiates quirky character and Western charm. After a day outdoors, grab a bite at the Rustic Pine Tavern, open since 1919, or visit the Outlaw Bar and Saloon. Once called the Branding Iron Inn, the Outlaw Bar has remained a beloved Dubois gathering spot for generations.
In the summer months, the town hosts the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, which runs through June, July, and August. The family-friendly event features Mutton Bustin, Calf Riding, Mini Bull Riding, Pee Wee Barrel Racing, and more.
What Makes Dubois Different
Dubois remains a timeless town nestled amid Wyoming’s towering mountain ranges. This cowboy haven has preserved its natural beauty and charm for centuries, attracting explorers, pioneers, hunters, and adventurers. Visitors can saddle up at a dude ranch, scale mountain peaks, fish or float on glacial rivers, and unwind at the local rodeo—offering an ideal setting for unforgettable experiences and a break from everyday life.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Western Wyoming Community College placed second at the NJCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, finishing with 188 team points and producing nine All-Americans, including four national runners-up. Their 188 points are the second-most all-time.
Indian Hills repeated as national champion with 201.5 points, the most points of all time, while Iowa Central finished third with 145.5. Western improved on last year’s third-place finish while sending four wrestlers to the championship round, the most runner-up finishes at the tournament, though the Mustangs were unable to secure an individual national title.
Zach Marrero reached the championship match at 133 pounds after earning a 4-2 decision in the semifinals. In the final, Marrero faced Indian Hills’ Olli Webb. The two were tied 1-1 after three periods before Webb secured a sudden-victory takedown to win 4-1.
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At 165 pounds, Banks Norby advanced to the finals with an 8-7 semifinal decision over Tom Stoll of Northeastern Junior College. Norby then faced Henry Dillingham of Clackamas in the championship match. Dillingham scored seven points in the third period to pull away, and Norby was unable to record a takedown as he finished second.
Banks Love also reached the championship bout at 184 pounds. Love snuck past Asadbek Fayzullaev of Northwest 10-9 in the semifinals. In the final, he fell to Jarrel Miller of Iowa Central 16-9. Love scored seven points in the final period, but Miller also scored nine in the period to secure the win.
At 197 pounds, Trevyn Gates reached the finals after pinning Samuel Montoya of Southeast Nebraska in the semifinals. Gates’ run ended in the championship match when he was pinned in 2:03, giving him a runner-up finish.
Western also had two wrestlers earn third-place finishes.
At 125 pounds, Stockton Allen dropped his semifinal match by technical fall but responded in the consolation bracket. Allen secured third place with a fall in 1:27 over Truth Vesey of Harper.
Green River’s Tommy Dalton also placed third at 149 pounds. Dalton lost in the semifinals by fall in 4:22 but rebounded with a 17-6 major decision to reach the third-place match. He then defeated Ayson Rice of Southeast Nebraska 9-3 to earn the bronze.
Francisco Ayala finished fifth at 174 pounds. After dropping into the consolation bracket, Ayala won two of his three matches to reach the fifth-place bout, where he defeated Iowa Western’s Matteo Nikolov 4-2. Trailing 1-0 entering the final period, Ayala secured a takedown with 12 seconds remaining to claim the win.
Dmitri Alarcon placed sixth at 141 pounds. Alarcon lost in the semifinals by fall before dropping a 20-9 decision in the consolation bracket. In the fifth-place match, he led 5-2 after the opening period but gave up a four-point nearfall in the second and fell 6-5.
At 157 pounds, Hixon Canto finished seventh. After advancing through the consolation bracket Friday, Canto lost a 6-4 decision Saturday before taking seventh place by medical forfeit.
Heavyweight Kort Wilkinson saw his tournament end a day earlier. Wilkinson was one point away from the quarterfinals before falling to Cito Tuttle of Rochester 3-2 in double overtime. He won two matches in the consolation bracket before losing a 5-0 decision to Naasir Edmonds, ending his season on the opening day of the tournament.
Western Wyoming’s second-place finish marks an improvement from its third-place result at the 2025 NJCAA Wrestling Championships and caps a season that also included the program’s ninth straight Region 9/Plains District title.
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