National Climatic Data Center, 14 January 2003

According to the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Online (WyomingNews.com), the drought ranked as the second top state news story of 2002 for Wyoming:

"For most people, unless they remember the Great Dust Bowl era, this will be the worst drought they experience," state climatologist Jan Curtis said this month.

Farmers have seen crop yields drop, and ranchers have been culling their herds -- even breeding stock -- or selling them outright because they can't afford to feed them without native grasses and hay.

Now officials are pondering permanent lawn watering restrictions, as well as instituting other conservation measures.

According to the preliminary climate statistics for December 2002 prepared by the Wyoming State Climatologist (Jan Curtis):

Statewide Summary

December temperatures generally ranged from nearly normal at Lander to
6F above normal at Sheridan and Torrington.  For 2002, the four first
class weather stations in Wyoming reported the following temperature
departures from normal:  Lander (-0.63F), Cheyenne (+1.51F), Casper
(-0.31F), and Sheridan (+0.16F).  Precipitation ranged from 0 percent of
normal in Worland to 52 percent of normal in Rock Springs.  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.  No stations reported above normal precipitation during 2002.
 The statewide drought basically unchanged from last month.

Cheyenne

The average temperature in December was 32.4F.  This is 5.3F warmer than
normal.   The maximum for the month was 56F on the 15th and the minimum
of 11F 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.

Laramie

The average temperature in December was 25.8F.  This is 4.5F warmer than
normal.  The maximum for the month was 50F on the 28th (tied for record
high) and the minimum of 0F 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 experienced its driest year with
5.78 inches (old record was 5.80 in 1933).   Snowfall totaled 1.8 inches
which is 27 percent of the long term average.

Rawlins

The average temperature in December was 25.4F.  This is 1.3F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 46F on the 14th and
15th and the minimum of 0F 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 25.8F.  This is 5.6F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 46F on the 14th and
the minimum of 6F 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 24.9F. This is 4.1F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 45F on the 14th and
the minimum of 54F 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 15.2F.  This is 2.6F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 38F on the 1st and
4th and the minimum of -20F 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 21.7F. This is 0.4F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 48F on the 15th and
the minimum of -9F 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.

Riverton

The average temperature in December was 19.0F.  This is 3.1F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 44F on the 15th and
the minimum of -11F 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 22.3F.  This is 2.4F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 52F on the 15th, and
the minimum of -3F 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 28.6F.  This is 6.2F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 59F on the 1st and
29th and the minimum of 3F 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.

Casper

The average temperature in December was 28.5F and is 4.7F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 51F on the 14th,
15th, and 16th and the minimum of -6F 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.

Torrington

The average temperature in December was 32.6F and is 6.4F warmer than
normal.  The maximum temperature for the month was 61F on the 14th and
15th and the minimum of -2F 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.