Recent and current conditions
Wyoming experienced its second warmest and 40th wettest September out of 128 years, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information database, retrieved Oct. 25. For the same period of record, the minimum and maximum September temperatures for all of Wyoming counties ranked within the top eight warmest.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released Oct. 20, classifies over 34 percent of the state as being abnormally dry – and over 51 percent of Wyoming as moderate to extreme drought. In the remainder of the state, more than 14 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 Nov. 2-8, issued Oct. 25, shows a 50 to 70 percent probability (or chance) for below normal temperatures for all of Wyoming. For the same timeframe, the forecast shows a 40 to 60 percent probability for above normal precipitation for the entire state.
The November forecast, issued Oct. 20, indicates a 33 to 50 percent probability of above normal temperatures for all of Wyoming – with an equal probability for below, near or above normal for the northwest corner of the state.
For the same timeframe, there is an equal probability for below, near or above normal precipitation for most of Wyoming. The northwest corner is the exception with a 33 to 40 percent probability for above 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.
