Within three days, temperatures may plunge from the mid-90s to the 30s in our corner of northwest Wyoming.

Forecasters are warning of a risk of “much-below normal temperatures” on Monday and Tuesday for several states, including Wyoming and Montana.

“In this high-risk area, there is a 60% chance of minimum temperatures falling to freezing or lower,” said Jeremiah Vardiman, University of Wyoming Extension educator in Powell.

For Powell, the National Weather Services calls for a sunny Saturday with a high of around 95, but temperatures are expected to drop to 34 degrees by Monday night. Some meteorologists are predicting even colder temps, with AccuWeather forecasting a low of 26 degrees on Monday and a possibility of rain. Low temps are expected to continue Tuesday and Wednesday.

Vardiman specifically alerted residents whose crops, livestock, gardens, pets or irrigation systems might be vulnerable to an early freeze.

Unharvested vegetables, fruits and other plants might suffer freeze-damage.

Pets that live outdoors or spend extended amounts of time outside might need additional food, shelter, or insulation from the cold. Livestock still grazing in the high-country might try moving to lower elevations or elsewhere to seek shelter while newborn and young livestock might need additional shelter.

Irrigation systems that have not yet been drained might be at risk of freezing.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s forecast for below normal temperatures next week includes  much of the Northern to Central Great Plains region.

Temperatures are expected to drop below the 15th percentile — “that is, only 15 out of the past 100 years have seen colder temperatures on these dates,” Vardiman wrote in a Tuesday message.

“Or said another way, the expected temperatures on Sept. 8 and 9 will be lower than those observed in 85 out of the past 100 years during these same dates,” he said.