Recent and current conditions

Wyoming experienced its sixth warmest and 24^th wettest August out of 128 years according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information database, retrieved Sept. 20. The adjacent tables include temperature and precipitation rankings of select counties for the month of August. 

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released Sept. 15, classifies nearly 33 percent of the state as being abnormally dry – and nearly 54 percent of Wyoming as moderate to extreme drought. In the remainder of the state, more than 13 percent is classified as none – in other words, these areas are not experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.

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 Sept. 28-Oct. 4, made Sept. 20, shows a 60 to 90 percent probability (or chance) for above normal temperatures for all of Wyoming. 

For the same timeframe, the forecast shows a 33 to 50 percent probability for below normal precipitation for most of the state. The exception is the southwest corner of Wyoming where there is an equal probability for below, near or above normal precipitation.

The October forecast, made Sept. 15, indicates a 33 to 60 percent probability of above normal temperatures for all of Wyoming – with a lower probability across the northern third of the state. 

For the same timeframe, there is a 33 to 50 percent probability for below normal precipitation for most of Wyoming. The exception is the northwest corner of the state where there is an equal probability for above, near or below normal precipitation. 

For details and 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.