Preliminary
Wyoming Monthly Climatology
January 2005

Statewide Summary

Graphs show that during the month of January, temperatures ranged from well above normal across the entire state with greater than 9°F above normal over portions of south central Wyoming. Precipitation was general well below normal over much of the north central region of the state while much above normal values were recorded over the central to southwestern regions of Wyoming. Soil moisture showed little change in January, with driest conditions persisting over northeastern Wyoming. Excessive warmth over Wyoming during the 2nd half of January helped to contribute to high soil moistures over the southwest quadrant of the state as significant amounts of mountain snows melted.

Weather Summary: Temperatures through Friday, January 7, averaged mostly below normal. Temperatures ranged from 20 degrees below normal in Cody to 5.5 degrees above normal in Jackson. The highest temperature was 52 degrees in Archer and Chugwater, while the lowest temperature was -19 degrees in Recluse. Scattered precipitation was reported in parts of the State with most areas having below normal amounts. The most precipitation fell in Jackson with 0.96 inches, Newcastle with 0.36 inches, and Redbird with 0.24 inches.

January 4th, 2005: Snow Fell Across Much of Central and Southern Wyoming.
January 7th-8th, 2005: Snow Fell Across Much of Central and Southern Wyoming.

Weather Summary: Temperatures through Friday, January 14, ranged from 11.2 degrees below normal in Sheridan to 8.2 degrees above normal in Saratoga. The highest temperature was 55 degrees in Archer, while the lowest temperature was -28 in Recluse. Precipitation was mostly above normal with almost all areas receiving some precipitation. The most precipitation fell in Big Piney with 0.74 inches and Afton with 0.69 inches.

Weather Summary: During the 3rd week in January, near record temperatures persisted over Wyoming while little if any precipitation fell.

Weather Summary: During the 4th week in January, extreme warmth continues across the state. This helps to contribute to high soil moisture values over the southwest half of the state.

Cheyenne

The average temperature in January was 31.9°F. This is 6.0°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 66°F on the 20th (ties for the highest January temperature on record) and the minimum of -5°F occurred on the 5th. Precipitation total of 0.41 inch is 91% of normal. Snowfall totaled 6.9 inches which is 117% of the long term average.

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    Laramie

    The average temperature in January was 28.3°F. This is 7.9°F warmer than normal for the month and represents the 5th warmest January since 1948. The maximum temperature for the month was 57°F on the 20th (record for the day) and the minimum for the month was -2°F occurring on the 5th and 7th. During the period from 18 to 25 January, the daily maximum temperatures average 49.5°F. This represents the warmest 8-day winter afternoon temperature streak since the winter of 1948-9. Another record high of 55°F occurred on the 20th. Precipitation total of 0.30 inch is 79% of normal. Snowfall totaled 5.3 inches which is 95% of the long term average.

    Rawlins

    The average temperature in January was 28.3°F. This is 5.3°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 51°F on the 20th (record for the day) and the minimum for the month was 0°F occurring on the 5th. Precipitation total of 0.60 inch is 107% of normal. Much of the month's precipitation fell on the 11th (0.25 inch). Snowfall totaled 9.3 inches which is 118% of the long term average.

    Rock Springs

    The average temperature in January was 27.1°F. This is 8.1°F warmer than normal for the month and represents the 4th warmest January since 1949. The maximum temperature for the month was 51°F on the 20th and the minimum for the month was 2°F occurring on the 5th. Precipitation total of 0.84 inch is 138% of normal. Snowfall totaled 12.0 inches which is 174% of the long term average.

    Evanston

    The average temperature in January was 24.9°F. This is 5.4°F warmer than normal for the month and represents the 9th warmest January since 1899. The maximum temperature for the month was 44°F on the 20th and the minimum for the month was 5°F occurring on the 6th. Precipitation total of 0.88 inch is 129% of normal. Snowfall totaled 10.5 inches which is 102% of the long term average.

    Big Piney

    The average temperature in January was 11.2°F. This is 1.1°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 39°F on the 19th and the minimum for the month was -24°F occurring on the 15th. Precipitation total of 1.10 inches is 244% of normal and represents the 3rd wettest January since 1949 (some years have missing data). Snowfall totaled 16.9 inches which is 412% of the long term average which makes it probably the snowiest January on record.

    Lander

    The average temperature in January was 23.6°F. This is 3.3°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 0.80 inch is 154% of normal and represents the 21st wettest January on record. Snowfall totaled 16.5 inches which is 194% of the long term average and represents the 11th snowiest January on record.

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    Riverton

    The average temperature in January was 24.0°F. This is 9.1°F warmer than normal and represents the 9th warmest January since records began in 1919. The maximum temperature for the month was 51°F on the 19th and 21st and the minimum for the month of -12°F occurred on the 15th. Precipitation total of 0.46 inch is 139% of normal and represents the 12th wettest January on record. Snowfall totaled 10.3 inches which is 286% of the long term average and represents the 8th snowiest January on record.

    Worland

    The average temperature in January was 23.0°F. This is 6.0°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 59°F on the 24th (record for the day) and the minimum for the month of -16°F occurred on the 6th. Other record highs occurred on the 17th (50°F), 19th (53°F), and 21st (54°F) (since 1961). Precipitation total only a trace which ties for the least January amount (twice since 1960). Snowfall totaled 0.6 inch which is 11% of the long term average. Snowfall occurred at sub zero temperatures, thus was very fluffy.

    Sheridan

    The average temperature in January was 23.2°F. This is 1.9°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 69°F on the 24th and the minimum for the month of -18°F occurred on the 15th. Precipitation total of 0.19 inch is 25% of normal. Snowfall totaled 7.5 inches which is 69% of the long term average.

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    Casper

    The average temperature in January was 28.1°F. This is 5.8°F warmer than normal and represents the 12th warmest January on record. The maximum temperature for the month was 57°F on the 20th (record for the day) and the minimum for the month of -16°F occurred on the 14th (record for the day). Other records highs occurred on the 19th (54°F) and 24th (56°F). Precipitation total of 0.15 inch is 26% of normal and represents the 9th driest January on record. Snowfall totaled 9.2 inches which is 91% of the long term average.

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    Douglas

    The average temperature in January was 27.5°F. This is 3.8°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 63°F on the 20th (record for the day) and the minimum for the month of -12°F occurred on the 6th Precipitation total of 0.39 inch is 82% of normal.

    Torrington

    The average temperature in January was 29.6°F. This is 4.7°F warmer than normal for the month. The maximum temperature for the month was 68°F on the 20th (record for the day) and the minimum for the month of -11°F occurred on the 5th and 6th. Precipitation total of 0.17 inch is 55% 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.

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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, 2005

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