Wyoming Weather / Climate
The great State of Wyoming offers beauty and diversity in its grand landscape. Wyoming's outstanding features are its majestic mountains and high plains. Its mean elevation is about 6,700 feet above sea level and even when the mountains are excluded, the average elevation over the southern part of the State is well over 6,000 feet, while much of the northern portion is some 2,500 feet lower. The lowest point is found near the northeast corner where the Belle Fourche River crosses the State line into South Dakota. The highest point is Gannett Peak at 13,804 feet, which is part of the Wind River Range in the west-central portion of Wyoming.
Snow Covered Trees
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The mountain ranges lie in a general north-south direction, perpendicular to the prevailing westerlies. The position of the mountain ranges provide effective barriers which force the air currents moving in from the Pacific Ocean to rise and drop much of their moisture along the western slopes. Total annual snowfall varies considerably, with the variability in elevations throughout the State. The mountains receive much more snow accumulation than areas at lower elevations. On average, higher ranges receive 200 inches of snow annually. In the northwest portion of the State, annual snowfall can be 400 inches and more, drawing a great amount of interest towards the mountains for skiing its mountainous terrain.
With an average elevation of 6,700 feet, Wyoming is the second highest state in the United States behind Colorado. The climate is varied because of its topographical diversity ranging from high mountain peaks to undulating valleys to wide open plains. Most often the climate is categorized as semi-arid. Annual percipitation for the State ranges from as little as five inches to as much as 45 inches a year. The type of percipitation varies in form with rain or snow.
Because of its elevation, Wyoming has a relatively cool climate. Above the 6,000 feet level the temperature rarely exceeds 100° F. The warmest parts of the State are the lower portions of the Big Horn Basin, the lower elevations of the central and northeast portions, and along the east border. The highest recorded temperature was 114° F on July 12, 1900, at Basin in the Big Horn Basin. For most of the State, mean maximum temperatures in July range between 85 and 95° F. With increasing elevation, average values drop rapidly. A few places in the mountains at about the 9,000 foot level have average maximums in July close to 70° F. Summer nights are almost invariably cool, even though daytime readings may be quite high at times. For most places away from the mountains, the mean minimum temperature in July ranges from 50 to 60 ° F. Of course, the mountains and high valleys are much cooler with average lows in the middle of the summer in the 30s and 40s with occasional drops below freezing.
Fall Colors
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In the wintertime it is characteristic to have rapid and frequent changes between mild and cold spells. Usually there are less than 10 cold waves during a winter, and frequently less than half that number for most of the State. The majority of cold waves move southward on the east side of the Continental Divide. Sometimes only the northeast part of the State is affected by the cold air as it slides eastward over the plains. Many of the cold waves are not accompanied by enough snow to cause severe conditions. In January, the coldest month generally, mean minimum temperatures range mostly from 5 to 10° F. In the western valleys mean values go down to about 5° below zero. The record low for the State is -66° F observed February 9, 1933, at Yellowstone Park. During warm spells in the winter, nighttime temperatures frequently remain above freezing.
Even though Wyoming can be a harsh environment for half of the year, the State has great ratings for sunshine. For most of the State, sunshine ranges from 60 percent in the winter to about 75 percent during the summer. Mountain areas receive less, and in the wintertime the estimated amount over the northwestern mountains is about 45 percent. In the summertime when sunshine is greatest, not only in time but also intensity, it is characteristic for the mornings to be mostly clear. Cumulus clouds develop nearly every day and frequently blot out the sun for a portion of the afternoons. Because the altitude provides less atmosphere for the sun's rays to penetrate and because of the very small amount of fog, haze, and smoke, the intensity of sunshine in unusually high.
Wyoming, the Cowboy State, is an open vast landmass with a great diversity in its topography. Its natural elements are raw and harsh at times, with varying temperatures in the peak of the summer, intense rays of sun, dry arid conditions, and bitter cold winters. These are real components of the weather and climate to Wyoming. Many people are drawn to this great State, and many are timid of the variable weather conditions and cold temperatures. Regardless of what some think, the State of Wyoming is unique and the weather over time has played a large part in its erosion processes and its natural beauty that we are fortunate to enjoy today.
Cheyenne, WY Weather
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