Recent and Current Condition
By Windy Kelley
Wyoming experienced its 21st warmest and 23rd driest December out of 126 years, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Center for Environmental Information database, retrieved Jan. 25. Scaling to the county level, the adjacent tables show December temperature and precipitation rankings for select counties.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, from Jan. 21, shows nearly seven percent of Wyoming is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, while approximately 89 percent is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought.
The current USDM map can be viewed at bit.ly/2S28VTA, and individuals should consider submitting a Condition Monitoring Observer Report at bit.ly/3c4WRLR.
Eight to 14-day and one-month forecasts
NOAA’s eight to 14-day forecast for Feb. 3-9, made Jan. 26, shows a 33 to 60 percent probability or chance for below-normal temperatures for all of Wyoming. The probability increases from the northeast to the southwest corner of the state.
For the same timeframe, there is a 33 percent probability of above-normal precipitation for the eastern two-thirds of Wyoming and an equal chance of below, near or above normal precipitation for the western one-third of the state.
The February forecast, made Jan. 21, indicates an equal chance for below, near or above normal temperatures for all of Wyoming.
For the same timeframe, there is a 33 percent probability of above-normal precipitation for the northern half of the state and an equal chance of below, near or above normal precipitation for the remainder of Wyoming.
To view more NOAA forecasts, visit cpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
Windy K. Kelley is the regional Extension program coordinator and state specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Northern Plains Climate Hub, University of Wyoming Extension and WAFERx. She can be reached at wkelley1@uwyo.edu or 307-367-4380.
