Preliminary
Wyoming Monthly Climatology
January 2004

Statewide Summary

Temperatures for the month of January were well below normal over southwest Wyoming and Washakie County. Average temperatures ranged from <8 degrees F below normal over portions of northwest Sweetwater County to >6 degrees F over portions of northeast Natrona County. Precipitation for the month of January was very dry across the state. The lightest moisture <2 percent of normal occurred over several regions around the state with <25 percent of normal typical. The mountain snow pack has worsened in January across the state and is near average for the beginning of January over areas west of the Continental Divide and about 25 percent lower elsewhere. Soil moisture on 2 February 2004 shows some drying effects from a very dry January. Torrington's soil moisture remained essentially unchanged, and very dry at all levels. The drought over Wyoming has remained essentially unchanged during January with most of the state in severe drought.

Cheyenne

The average temperature in January was 30.0°F. This is 4.5°F above normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 55°F on the 10th and 11th and the minimum of -12°F occurred on the 5th. Precipitation total of 0.07 inch is 16 percent of normal and is tied for 11th driest January since 1915. Snowfall totaled 1.9 inches and is 32 percent of the long term mean.

  • past 30-days precipitation
  • past 30-days temperature
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    Laramie

    The average temperature in January was 23.9°F. This is 3.5°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 48°F on the 23rd and the minimum for the month was -8°F occurring on the 4th. Precipitation total of 0.13 inch is 34 percent of normal and is tied for 8th driest January since 1949. Snowfall totaled 3.2 inches and is 57 percent of the long term mean.

    Rawlins

    The average temperature in January was 22.9°F. This is 0.1°F cooler than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 44°F on the 10th and the minimum for the month was -6°F occurring on the 5th. Precipitation total of just 0.05 inch is 4 percent of normal and is tied for the 2nd driest January since 1952. Snowfall totaled 1.1 inches and is 14 percent of the long term average.

    Rock Springs

    The average temperature in January was 16.0°F. This is 3.0°F colder than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 38°F on the 30th and the minimum for the month was -5°F occurring on the 6th. Precipitation total of 0.07 inch is 11 percent of normal and is the 4th driest January since 1949. Snowfall totaled 2.0 inches and is 29 percent of the long term average.

    Evanston

    The average temperature in January was 19.1°F. This is 0.4°F cooler than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 37°F on the 10th and 30th and the minimum for the month was -3°F occurring on the 4th. Precipitation total of 0.18 inch is 26 percent of normal and represents the 14th driest January since 1899. Snowfall totaled 7.9 inches and is 78 percent of the long term average.

    Big Piney

    The average temperature in January was 2.5°F. This is 7.6°F colder than normal. This large negative departure from normal was probably due to strong valley inversions that trapped (pooled) the cold air for extended periods during the month. This was the 5th coldest January since 1949. The maximum temperature for the month was 35°F on the 30th the minimum for the month was -26°F occurring on the 6th. Precipitation total of 0.18 inch is 40 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 4.9 inches and is 120 percent of the long term average.

    Lander

    The average temperature in January was 19.1°F. This is 1.2°F cooler than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 47°F on the 30th and the minimum for the month was -18°F occurring on the 6th. Precipitation total of 0.10 inch is 19 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 3.4 inches and is 40 percent of the long term average.

  • past 30-days precipitation
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    Riverton

    The average temperature in January was 17.2°F. This is 2.3°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 47°F on the 30th and the minimum for the month of -20°F occurred on the 6th. Precipitation total of 0.05 inch is 18 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 1.5 inches and is 42 percent of the long term average.

    Worland

    The average temperature in January was 11.2°F. This is 5.8°F colder than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 42°F on the 30th and the minimum for the month of -32°F occurred on the 6th. Precipitation total of 0.31 inch is 101 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 5.4 inches and is 95 percent of the long term average.

    Sheridan

    The average temperature in January was 21.7°F. This is 0.4°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 48°F on the 23rd and the minimum for the month of -20°F occurred on the 5th and 6th. Precipitation total of only 0.03 inch is 4 percent of normal and represents the driest January since 1949. Snowfall totaled 1.4 inches and is 13 percent of the long term average.

  • past 30-days precipitation
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  • past 90-days precipitation
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    Casper

    The average temperature in January was 28.0°F. This is 5.7°F warmer than normal and represents the 11th warmest January since 1940. The maximum temperature for the month was 49°F on the 10th and the minimum for the month of -13°F occurred on the 5th. Precipitation total of 0.03 inch is 5 percent of normal and represents the 2nd driest January since 1940. Snowfall totaled 0.8 inch and is 8 percent 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

    Torrington

    The average temperature in January was 30.1°F. This is 5.2°F warmer than normal. The maximum temperature for the month was 58°F on the 10th and 14th and the minimum for the month of -25°F occurred on the 5th. Precipitation total of 0.05 inch is 16 percent of normal. Snowfall totaled 1.4 inches and is 33 percent of the long term average.

    Additional Stations:

    Buffalo
    Douglas
    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.

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    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: February 3, 2004

    		 Water Resources Data System