Connecting Ag to Climate: Recent and Current Conditions

Wyoming experienced its 35^th coldest and 47^th wettest May out of 130 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information database, retrieved June 24. 

Scaling to the county level, the adjacent tables include temperature and precipitation rankings of select counties for the month of May.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released June 20, classifies over 32 percent of Wyoming as being abnormally dry (D0) and it shows over 14 percent of the state in moderate (D1) or severe drought (D2). 

The remainder of the state – nearly 54 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/usdm-wy. Consider submitting a Condition Monitoring Observer Report at bit.ly/condtionreports.

Eight- to 14-day and one-month forecasts 

NOAA’s eight- to 14-day forecast for July 1-7, issued on June 24, shows a 33 to 60 percent probability of above normal temperatures for nearly all of Wyoming. The exception is the northwest corner of the state where temperatures are expected to be near normal. 

For the same timeframe, there is a 33 to 40 percent probability for above average precipitation throughout Wyoming.

The one-month forecast for July, issued on June 20, indicates a 50 to 80 percent probability of above normal temperatures, and a 40 to 60 percent probability for above normal precipitation throughout Wyoming. 

For additional information and 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, the University of Wyoming Extension and WAFERx. She can be reached at wkelley1@uwyo.edu or 307-367-4380.