GILLETTE, Wyo. -- A strong cold front is expected to bring gusty winds and cooler temperatures to Gillette today, following an air quality alert for wildfire smoke in effect until late morning.

A cold front is coming through the area, bringing northwesterly winds of 20-30 mph and gusts of up to 45 mph this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The strong winds will help clear wildfire smoke that led to an air quality alert for northeast Wyoming, which will expire at 11 a.m.

High temperatures today will reach near 75 before the front, with winds diminishing overnight. Lows are expected to drop to around 40 tonight, with wind gusts up to 40 mph.

The cold air will linger Friday, with a high of only 64. Wind will shift to the north, with gusts up to 20 mph. Friday night's low will fall to about 37, with patchy frost possible by Saturday morning.

Temperatures will begin to rebound over the weekend, with highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. By early next week, Gillette can expect to see temperatures return to the low 80s.

No rain is forecast for the next seven days.