Preliminary
Wyoming Monthly Climatology
December 2002
Statewide Summary
December temperatures generally ranged from nearly normal at Lander to 6°F above normal at Sheridan and Torrington. For 2002, the four first class weather stations in Wyoming reported the following temperature departures from normal: Lander (-0.63°F), Cheyenne (+1.51°F), Casper (-0.31°F), and Sheridan (+0.16°F). Precipitation ranged from 0 percent of normal in Worland to 52 percent of normal in Rock Springs. (See 30 Day MAP) for 1-30 December and 60 Day MAP) for 1 November-30 December percentages from normal. For 2002, precipitation was less than 60 percent of normal over most of the south central region of Wyoming and above 80 percent of normal over most of the western extreme of the state and over the Big Horn and Absaroka Ranges. The statewide drought continues basically unchanged from last month.
Cheyenne
The average temperature in December was 32.4°F. This is 5.3°F warmer than normal. The maximum for the month was 56 °F on the 15th and the minimum of 11°F occurred on the 26th. Precipitation total of 0.11 inch is 24 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 1.6 inches which is 20 percent of the long term average.
past 30-days precipitation
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Laramie
The average temperature in December was 25.8°F. This is 4.5°F warmer than normal. The maximum for the month was 50°F on the 28th (tied for record high) and the minimum of 0°F occurred on the 24th. Precipitation total of 0.07 inch is 15 percent of normal and ties for the 5th driest December since 1948. For 2002, Laramie broke a record for the driest year on record with 5.78 inches (old record was 5.80 inches in 1933). Snowfall totaled 1.8 inches which is 27 percent of the long term average.
Rawlins
The average temperature in December was 25.4°F. This is 1.3°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 46°F on the 14th and 15th and the minimum of 0°F occurred on the 24th. Precipitation total of 0.06 inch is 12 percent of normal and represents the 3rd driest December since 1951. Snowfall totaled 1.6 inches which is 23 percent of normal.
Rock Springs
The average temperature in December was 25.8°F. This is 5.6°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 46°F on the 14th and the minimum of 6°F occurred on the 19th and 25th. Precipitation total of 0.32 inch is 70 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 5.8 inches which is 94 percent of the long term average.
Evanston
The average temperature in December was 24.9°F. This is 4.1°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 45°F on the 14th and the minimum of 54°F occurred on the 25th. Precipitation total of 0.33 inch is 49 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 6.6 inches which is 79 percent of the long term average.
Big Piney
The average temperature in December was 15.2°F. This is 2.6°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 38°F on the 1st and 4th and the minimum of -20°F occurred on the 25th. Precipitation total of 0.15 inch is 47 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 2.4 inches which is 62 percent of the long term average.
Lander
The average temperature in December was 21.7°F. This is 0.4°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 48°F on the 15th and the minimum of -9°F occurred on the 25th. Precipitation total of 0.18 inch is 30 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 4.0 inches which is 36 percent of the long term average.
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Riverton
The average temperature in December was 19.0°F. This is 3.1°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 44°F on the 15th and the minimum of -11°F occurred on the 26th. Precipitation total of 0.09 inch is 25 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 4.9 inches which is 92 percent of the long term average.
Worland
The average temperature in December was 22.3°F. This is 2.4°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 52°F on the 15th, and the minimum of -3°F occurred on the 25th and 26th. Precipitation total of only a trace and is 0 percent of normal and ties for driest December since 1960. Snowfall totaled 0.3 inch which is 5 percent of the long term average.
Sheridan
The average temperature in December was 28.6°F. This is 6.2°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 59°F on the 1st and 29th and the minimum of 3°F occurred on the 25th and 26th. Precipitation total of 0.18 inch is 26 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 2.6 inches which is 23 percent of the long term average.
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Casper
The average temperature in December was 28.5.0°F and is 4.7°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 51°F on the 14th, 15th, and 16th and the minimum of -6°F occurred on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.19 inch is 31 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 2.4 inches which is 23 percent of the long term average.
past 30-days precipitation
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Torrington
The average temperature in December was 32.6°F and is 6.4°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 61°F on the 14th and 15th and the minimum of -2°F occurred on the 26th. Precipitation total of 0.04 inch is 11 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 0.2 inch which is 4 percent of the long term average.
Additional Stations:
Buffalo
Douglas
Gillette
Greybull
Yellowstone
This information was compiled by the Wyoming State Climatologist, University of Wyoming. For more information, contact Jan Curtis at (307) 766-6659. For periodic updates, visit http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu This site includes a searchable database for Wyoming climate and water. For additional daily and hourly climatology, click on this interactive map by selecting a city. Then click on the "Monthly History" link on the left menu. Record daily temperatures are based on the period since 1948-9 for all cities unless otherwise noted.
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