The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a critical weather statement for Tuesday. While severe conditions and heavy rain are possible, the NWS says the biggest threat is strong winds.

Areas of eastern Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle can expect wind gusts in excess of 60 mph. According to the NWS, a strong weather system that is unusual for this late in the severe weather season is expected to move through the area today, along with a strong cold front. This front is expected to produce a line of strong to severe thunderstorms that will move east-northeast across the high plains through Tuesday evening.

The weather forecast is positive and this event could become a potential derecho, which we have not had in our region since 2020.

The last time Chadron saw wind gusts of this magnitude was in November 2022. The gusts reached 65 mph (105 km/h) and were strong enough to down power lines in the city, prompting a travel advisory.