Preliminary
Wyoming Monthly Climatology
December 2004

Statewide Summary

Graphs show that during the month of December, temperatures ranged from above normal across the entire state with exceptionally warm averages, greater than 9°F above normal, over portions of northeastern Wyoming. Precipitation was general well below normal over much of the state with above normal amounts over the Wind River Range and extreme southwest Wyoming. Soil Moisture showed little change in December, with driest conditions persisting over NE Wyoming.

In Summary: Temperatures for the five weeks through December 31 averaged above normal for the State. Temperatures ranged from 0.2 degrees below normal in Powell to 10.2 degrees above normal in Riverton. The low temperature for the month was recorded in Recluse at 26 degrees below zero, and the high temperature was 66 in Sheridan. Highs ranged mostly from the high 40's to mid 60's. Lows ranged from the negative teens to negative single digits. Precipitation averaged below normal for most of the State. The most precipitation fell in Jackson with 1.24 inches, Chugwater with 1.22 inches, and Afton with 1.11 inches. For 2004, average temperatures were coolest over the northwest mountains and warmest over the eastern plains. In terms of temperature departures from normal, conditions were actually below normal across central and extreme western Wyoming and well above normal over northeastern Wyoming. The wettest regions of the state were over the northwestern and Bighorn mountains and the driest was over the Bighorn Basin. In terms of precipitation departures from normal, the greatest surpluses extended from the Sierra Madre Mountains over south central Wyoming northwestward to eastern Yellowstone National Park. The greatest deficits covered most of the northeastern quadrant and southwest corner of the state.

Weather Summary: Temperatures through Friday, December 3, averaged below normal for the State. Temperatures ranged from 13.9 degrees below normal in Wheatland to 2.9 degrees below normal in Worland. The highest temperature was 48 degrees in Sheridan, while the lowest temperature was -22 degrees in Big Piney. A trace or more of precipitation was reported in most areas with some stations in the East reporting above normal amounts due to widespread snow on November 27 and 28. The most precipitation fell in Chugwater with 0.93 inch, Archer with 0.52 inch, and Gillette with 0.45 inch.

Western Snowstorm: 6-9 Dec 04

Weather Summary: Temperatures through Friday, December 10, averaged above normal for the State. Temperatures ranged from 2.5 degrees above normal in Big Piney to 11.1 degrees above normal in Lander. The highest temperature was 56 degrees in Cody and Kaycee, while the lowest temperature was -6 degrees in Big Piney. Some precipitation was reported in the West with almost all stations reporting below normal amounts. The most precipitation fell in Jackson with 0.48 inch, Evanston with 0.40 inch, and Afton with 0.30 inch.

Strong Winds Affect Northern Wyoming: December 11th, 2004

Weather Summary: Temperatures through Friday, December 17, averaged above normal for the State. Temperatures ranged from 2.0 degrees above normal in Chugwater to 17.9 degrees above normal in Jackson. The highest temperature was 66 degrees in Sheridan and Wheatland, while the lowest temperature was -6 degrees in Chugwater. Scattered light precipitation was reported with almost all stations reporting below normal amounts. The most precipitation fell in Cody with 0.11 inch and Kaycee with 0.10 inch.

Weather Summary: Temperatures through Friday, December 24, averaged below normal for most of the State. Temperatures ranged from 8.6 degrees above normal in Lander to 5.5 degrees below normal in Wheatland. The highest temperature was 66 degrees in Sheridan, while the lowest temperature was -26 degrees in Recluse. Scattered light precipitation was reported with almost all stations reporting below normal amounts. The most precipitation fell in Chugwater with 0.27 inch and Gillette with 0.19 inch.

Cheyenne

The average temperature in December was 31.8°F. This is 4.7°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 61°F on the 11th and the minimum of -8°F occurred on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.13 inch is 28% of normal. More than half the month's precipitation fell on the 2nd (0.07 inch). Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches which is 38% of the long term average.

  • past 30-days precipitation
  • past 30-days temperature
  • past 90-days precipitation
  • past 90-days temperature
  • past 365-days precipitation
  • past 365-days temperature

    Laramie

    The average temperature in December was 26.0°F. This is 4.7°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 54°F on the 11th and the minimum for the month was -13°F occurring on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.04 inch is 9% of normal and this represents the 2nd driest December (tied) since 1948. Snowfall totaled 0.7 inch which is 10% of the long term average.

    Rawlins

    The average temperature in December was 26.3°F. This is 2.2°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 49°F on the 27th and the minimum for the month was -4°F occurring on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.27 inch is 55% of normal. Most of the month's precipitation fell on the 29th (0.23 inch). Snowfall totaled 0.3 inch which is 4% of the long term average.

    Rock Springs

    The average temperature in December was 27.3°F. This is 7.1°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 51°F on the 11th and 12th and the minimum for the month was -5°F occurring on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.07 inch is 11% of normal. Snowfall totaled 1.5 inches which is 25% of the long term average.

    Evanston

    The average temperature in December was 24.9°F. This is 4.1°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 49°F on the 127th and the minimum for the month was -1°F occurring on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.45 inch is 67% of normal. Snowfall totaled 7.9 inches which is 95% of the long term average.

    Big Piney

    The average temperature in December was 18.5°F. This is 5.9°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 46°F on the 12th and the minimum for the month was -11°F occurring on the 2nd. Precipitation total of 0.49 inch is 153% of normal. Snowfall totaled 5.7 inches which is 136% of the long term average.

    Lander

    The average temperature in December was 27.0°F. This is 5.7°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 60°F on the 11th and the minimum for the month was -8°F occurring on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.19 inch is 31%. Snowfall totaled 2.6 inches which is 23% of the long term average.

  • past 30-days precipitation
  • past 30-days temperature
  • past 90-days precipitation
  • past 90-days temperature
  • past 365-days precipitation
  • past 365-days temperature

    Riverton

    The average temperature in December was 26.1°F. This is 10.2°F warmer than normal and represents the 9th warmest December since records began in 1918. The maximum temperature for the month was 59°F on the 11th (record for the day) and the minimum for the month of -7°F occurred on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.09 inch is 25% of normal. Snowfall totaled 0.9 inch which is 17% of the long term average.

    Worland

    The average temperature in December was 25.7°F. This is 5.8°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 56°F on the 11th and the minimum for the month of -9°F occurred on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.10 is 33% of normal. Snowfall totaled 1.7 inches which is 30% of the long term average.

    Sheridan

    The average temperature in December was 31.3°F. This is 9.0°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 66°F on the 11th and the minimum for the month of -18°F occurred on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.14 inch is 21% of normal. Snowfall totaled 2.1 inches which is 19% of the long term average.

  • past 30-days precipitation
  • past 30-days temperature
  • past 90-days precipitation
  • past 90-days temperature
  • past 365-days precipitation
  • past 365-days temperature

    Casper

    The average temperature in December was 29.7°F. This is 5.9°F warmer than normal and represents the 11th warmest December on record. The maximum temperature for the month was 56°F on the 11th and the minimum for the month of -14°F occurred on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.09 inch is 15% of normal and represents the 2nd driest December on record. Snowfall totaled 1.9 inches which is 16% of the long term average.

  • past 30-days precipitation
  • past 30-days temperature
  • past 90-days precipitation
  • past 90-days temperature
  • past 365-days precipitation
  • past 365-days temperature

    Douglas

    The average temperature in December was 29.2°F. This is 4.4°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 59°F on the 11th and the minimum for the month of -17°F occurred on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.10 inch is 26% of normal.

    Torrington

    The average temperature in December was 32.2°F. This is 4.5°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 62°F on the 11th and the minimum for the month of -9°F occurred on the 23rd. Precipitation total of 0.02 inch is 5 percent of normal.

    Additional Stations:

    Buffalo
    Gillette
    Greybull

    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 historical at the bottom of the daily summary statistics. For Casper, Lander, and Riverton's Monthly F6 reports, see here and at the bottom of this webpage. Record daily temperatures are based on the period since 1948-9 for all cities unless otherwise noted.

    To Wyoming Monthly Summaries Index Listing

    Wyoming State Climatologist The Wyoming State Climatologist Office is funded by the Wyoming Water Development Commission

    WEBMASTER: stateclim@wrds.uwyo.edu
    Last reviewed or update: January 4, 2005

    		 Water Resources Data System