National Climatic Data Center, 13 February 2003

As noted by the Wyoming State Climatologist (Jan Curtis):

• winter snows in central and north central Wyoming by late January were confined mostly above 9000 feet and patchy at best
• maps of mountain snow water content show most of the state at below-average levels for this time of year, with some stations less than 50% of average
• the city of Casper, on the North Platte River, will be imposing water restrictions very soon

According to the preliminary climate statistics for January 2003 prepared by the Wyoming State Climatologist, this January was one of the warmest and driest Januarys on record across the state:

Statewide Summary

January temperatures generally ranged from 8 F above normal at
Torrington to 12 F above normal at Rock Springs.   Precipitation ranged
from 4 percent of normal in Cheyenne to 84 percent of normal in Sheridan.

Cheyenne

The average temperature in January was 35.1 F.  This is 9.2 F warmer
than normal and is the 3rd warmest January since 1915.   The maximum for
the month was 64 F on the 8th (record for the day) and the minimum of 6
F occurred on the 22th.   Precipitation total of 0.02 inch is 4 percent
of normal and represents the 3rd driest (tied) January since 1915.
Snowfall totaled 2.0 inches which is 27 percent of the long term average.

Laramie

The average temperature in January was 30.0 F.  This is 9.6 F warmer
than normal and is the warmest January since 1949.  The maximum for the
month was 55 F on the 27th (record for the day).  Another record high of
51 F was set on the 19th.  The minimum for the month was 0 F that
occurred on the 1st.  Precipitation total of 0.04 inch is 11 percent of
normal and ties for the 2rd driest January since 1949.   Snowfall
totaled 3.0 inches which is 56 percent of the long term average.

Rawlins

The average temperature in January was 30.5 F.  This is 7.5 F warmer
than normal and is the warmest January since 1952.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 52 F on the 27th (record for the day).
Another record high of 47 F occurred on the 8th.  The minimum
temperature for the month of 3 F occurred on the 10th.  Precipitation
total of 0.14 inch is 25 percent of normal and represents the 4th driest
January since 1952.   Snowfall totaled 2.0 inches which is 24 percent of
normal.

Rock Springs

The average temperature in January was 30.7 F.  This is 11.7 F warmer
than normal and is the warmest January since 1949.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 53 F on the 31st and the minimum of 7 F
occurred on the 10th.  Precipitation total of 0.05 inch is 8 percent of
normal and is the 2nd driest January since 1949.  Snowfall totaled 1.2
inches which is 17 percent of the long term average.

Evanston

The average temperature in January was 29.5 F. This is 10.0 F warmer
than normal and is the warmest January since 1899.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 49 F on the 27th and the minimum of 11 F
occurred on the 11th.  Precipitation total of 0.24 inch is 35 percent of
normal and is the 13th driest January since 1899.  Snowfall totaled 2.0
inches which is 19 percent of the long term average.

Big Piney

The average temperature in January was 19.6 F.  This is 9.5 F warmer
than normal and is the 2nd warmest January since 1949.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 48 F on the 31st (record for the day) and
the minimum of -10 F occurred on the 8th.  Precipitation total of 0.08
inch is 18 percent of normal and is tied for the 6th driest January
since 1949.  Snowfall totaled 1.8 inches which is 43 percent of the long
term average.

Lander

The average temperature in January was 28.3 F. This is 8.0 F warmer than
normal and is the 8th warmest January since 1891.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 58 F on the 31st.  A record high of 56 F
was set on the 27th.   The minimum for the month of 4 F occurred on the
10th.  Precipitation total of 0.32 inch is 62 percent of normal.
Snowfall totaled 4.8 inches which is 45 percent of the long term average.

Riverton

The average temperature in January was 26.0 F.  This is 11.1 F warmer
than normal and is the 4th warmest January since 1918.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 54 F on the 27th.  A record high of 49 F
occurred on the 3rd.   The minimum for the month of 2 F occurred on the
10th and 11th.  Precipitation total of 0.07 inch is 25 percent of
normal.  Snowfall totaled 1.4 inches which is 30 percent of the long
term average.

Worland

The average temperature in January was 26.6 F.  This is 9.6 F warmer
than normal and is the 4th warmest January since 1961.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 47 F on the 31st, and the minimum of 3 F
occurred on the 11th.  Precipitation total of 0.18 inch is 59 percent of
normal.  Snowfall totaled 2.7 inches which is 47 percent of the long
term average.

Sheridan

The average temperature in January was 29.9 F.  This is 8.6 F warmer
than normal and is tied for the 7th warmest January since 1949.  The
maximum temperature for the month was 67 F on the 7th (record for the
daily).  Another record high of 61 F was set on the 19th.  The minimum
for the month of 0 F occurred on the 22nd.  Precipitation total of 0.65
inch is 84 percent of normal.  Snowfall totaled 14.0 inches which is 122
percent of the long term average.

Casper

The average temperature in January was 31.2 F and is 9.0 F warmer than
normal and is tied as 3rd warmest January since 1940.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 56 F on the 27th.  Another record high of
54 F was set on the 20th.   The minimum for the month of -1 F occurred
on the 10th.   Precipitation total of 0.10 inch is 17 percent of normal
and is the 5th driest January since 1940.  Snowfall totaled 0.4 inch
which is 4 percent of the long term average.

Torrington

The average temperature in January was 32.8 F.  This is 7.9 F warmer
than normal and is the 5th warmest January since 1922.  The maximum
temperature for the month was 65 F on the 7th (record for the day,
tied).  Another record high of 64 F was set on the 8th.   The minimum
for the month of -2 F occurred on the 22nd.  Precipitation total of 0.16
inch is 52 percent of normal.  Snowfall totaled 2.1 inches which is 49
percent of the long term average.