Red flag warning in Cheyenne County Friday; storms possible over the weekend
A red flag warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday across Cheyenne County and neighboring Yuma and Kit Carson counties as south winds gust to around 30 mph and relative humidity falls as low as 9 percent. Cheyenne Wells is in line for a sunny high near 74 before a cold front swings through overnight, setting the stage for cooler weekend weather and a period of showers and thunderstorms from Saturday night into Sunday.
Friday brings sunny skies to Cheyenne Wells with a high near 74 and south winds of 15 to 20 mph, gusting as high as 35. Overnight, skies turn partly cloudy as a cold front approaches; the low drops to around 36 before temperatures actually rise to near 40 by morning on southerly winds ahead of the front.
"Across Colorado a surface low is forecast to develop and turn winds to the southwest across the Yuma, Kit Carson and Cheyenne (CO). This is where the most likely area to see several hours of critical fire weather lies," meteorologists in the Goodland, Kan., forecast office wrote in Friday's Area Forecast Discussion.
Fire weather concerns Friday
The National Weather Service office in Goodland, Kansas, issued the red flag warning for fire weather zones 252 (Yuma), 253 (Kit Carson) and 254 (Cheyenne, Colo.) Thursday evening, citing low humidity and sustained southerly flow. Forecasters wrote that the strongest winds and worst conditions are expected west of Highway 385, with a small chance of dry lightning or virga producing erratic gusts during the late afternoon. Outdoor burning should be avoided, and drivers are urged to keep vehicles off dry grass and to ensure tow chains are secure.
Cheyenne Wells, Colo. — Five-day forecast (April 24–28, 2026)
Source: National Weather Service, Goodland, Kan. — Issued April 24, 2026
Period | Sky Conditions | High/Low | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Sunny | High 74 | South 15–20 mph, gusts 35 mph |
| Friday night | Partly cloudy; warming to 40 | Low 36 | South 15–20 mph, gusts 35 mph |
| Saturday | Mostly sunny | High 65 | Northeast 15 mph, gusts 30 mph |
| Saturday night | Showers and thunderstorms likely | Low 40 | East 10–15 mph |
| Sunday | Showers and thunderstorms | High 73 | Southeast 10–15 mph |
| Sunday night | Chance showers and thunderstorms | Low 38 | Southwest 10–15 mph |
| Monday | Mostly sunny; chance showers | High 64 | North 10–15 mph |
| Monday night | Chance rain showers | Low 31 | Northeast 5–10 mph |
| Tuesday | Mostly sunny; slight chance showers | High 70 | Southeast 5–10 mph |
| Tuesday night | Slight chance storms | Low 38 | East 5–10 mph |
(Kiowa County Press)
Weekend storm chances
A cold front is expected to move through Cheyenne County during the mid- to late-evening hours Friday, shifting winds to the north and potentially producing gusts of 40 to 55 mph in the immediate wake of the front. Goodland forecasters warned that blowing dust and localized dust storms are possible if virga interacts with the front. Saturday turns considerably cooler, with a high near 65 under mostly sunny skies and northeast winds around 15 mph.
Showers and thunderstorms become likely after midnight Saturday with a 60 percent chance of precipitation. Sunday brings an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, a high near 73, and southeast winds at 10 to 15 mph. Forecasters flagged a conditional threat for a brief severe storm Sunday along and east of the Decatur-to-Gove county line in Kansas, with large hail and damaging winds the primary hazards. Confidence in severe weather in Cheyenne County itself remains low.
Monday and Tuesday outlook
Mostly sunny skies are expected Monday with a high near 64 and a 30 percent chance of rain showers. The overnight low drops to 31, making for a chilly start to the workweek. Tuesday warms to a high near 70 under mostly sunny skies, with a 20 percent chance of afternoon showers. A more active pattern may return later in the week as a Pacific system moves closer to the region.
Residents should take standard precautions Friday during the red flag warning and watch for sharp wind shifts and possible blowing dust as the cold front arrives Friday evening.
