Recent and current conditions
Wyoming experienced its second warmest and 11th driest June out of 127 years according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) database, retrieved July 20. Scaling to the county level, the adjacent tables show temperature and precipitation rankings of select counties for the month of June.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released July 15, shows that nearly 84 percent of Wyoming is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought. View the current USDM map at bit.ly/2S28VTA.
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 July 29 through Aug. 4, made July 21, shows a 40 to 50 percent probability or chance for above average temperatures for all of Wyoming.
For the same timeframe, there is a 33 to 40 percent probability for above average precipitation for most of Wyoming. The exception is the northern tier of the state where precipitation is expected to be normal.
The August forecast, made July 15, indicates a 40 to 60 percent probability for above normal temperatures throughout Wyoming, with the greatest probability in the western third of the state.
For the same timeframe, there is a 33 to 40 percent probability for below normal precipitation for much of the state. The exception is the southwest corner where there is an equal chance for below, near or above normal precipitation. To view more NOAA forecasts, visit cpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
Additional resources
The Wyoming Drought Information and Resources website has a wealth of information including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) drought designations by county, water regulations. To view these designations and assistance programs as well as the July 15 conditions and outlooks presentation, go to “Agriculture” and then “Water Administration.” The website can be found at drought.wyo.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.
