Recent and current conditions
Wyoming experienced its 46th warmest and 20th wettest August out of 127 years according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) database, retrieved Sept. 22. Scaling to the county level, the tables below show temperature and precipitation rankings of select counties for the month of August as well as the three-month ranking for the months of June through August.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released Sept. 16, shows 100 percent of Wyoming is experiencing abnormally dry or 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 Sept. 29-Oct. 5, made Sept. 21, shows a 50 to 70 percent probability or chance for above-average temperatures for all of Wyoming, with the lowest probability in the western third of the state. For the same timeframe, there is a 33 to 50 percent probability for below-average precipitation for most of Wyoming. The exception is the southwestern third of the state, where precipitation is expected to be normal.
The October forecast, made Sept. 16, indicates a 33 to 50 percent probability for above normal temperatures throughout Wyoming. For the same timeframe, there is an equal chance for below, near or above-normal precipitation for the entire state. To view more NOAA forecasts, visit cpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
Note
The information presented in the adjacent precipitation table is slightly different than in prior months. If you have a preference, please let me know as I strive to make the information as understandable as possible. Thank you.
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.
