Preliminary
Wyoming Monthly Climatology
December 2001
Statewide Summary
Very dry and seasonable temperatures dominated Wyoming's weather in December. Precipitation ranged
between 6 and 30 percent of normal while temperatures averaged 4.0°F over the northeast,
1.5°F over the east and southeast, near normal over the central region, and up to 3.0°F
below normal over the western part of the state. The drought continues over the state.
The average temperature in December 2001 was 22.5 F. This was 1.2 F warmer than the 1895-2001 average, the 50th warmest December in 107 years. The temperature trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is 0.0 degrees Fahrenheit per decade.
0.94 inches of precipitation fell in December. This was 0.28 inches more than the 1895- 2001 average, the 19th wettest such month on record. The precipitation trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is -0.02 inches per decade.
Cheyenne
The average temperature in December was 29.2°F. This is 1.5°F warmer than the new 1971-2000 (Normals) average and represents the 42nd warmest December on record (since 1895). The maximum temperature for the month was 59°F on the 3rd and the minimum of 5°F occurred on the 30th and 31st.
No record temperatures occurred during the month. Precipitation total of 0.11 inch is 86 percent below normal and is the 11th driest in 107 years of record keeping. Snowfall totaled 2.1 inches which is 68 percent below the long-term average.
For 2001, the average temperature was 1.6°F above average and precipitation was 15% below normal.
past 30-days precipitation
past 30-days temperature
past 90-days precipitation
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Laramie
The average temperature in December was 22.6°F. This is 1.2°F warmer than the new 1971-2000 (Normals) average. The maximum for the month was 45°F on the 3rd and 17th and the minimum of -4°F occurred on the 24th. No record temperatures occurred during the month.
Precipitation total of 0.09 inch is 80 percent below normal. Snowfall total was 1.5 inches and is 76 percent below the long-term average. For 2001, the average temperature was 1.0°F above average and precipitation was 50% below normal (driest year since 1949).
Rock Springs
The average temperature in December was 18.4°F. This is 2.8°F colder than the new 1971-2000 (Normals) average. The maximum temperature for the month was 40°F on the 3rd and the minimum of -5°F occurred on the 24th. No record temperatures occurred during the month.
Precipitation total of 0.10 inch is 84 percent below normal. Snowfall total was 2.0 inches and is 68 percent below the long-term average. For 2001, the average temperature was 1.5°F above average and precipitation was 43% below normal (tied for 6th driest year since 1948).
Lander
The average temperature in December was 21.9°F. This is 0.6°F warmer than the new 1971-2000 (Normals) average. The maximum temperature for the month was 45°F on the 2nd and the minimum of -1°F occurred on the 16th. No record temperatures occurred during the month.
Precipitation total of 0.17 inch is 73 percent below normal and represents the 8th driest December since 1948. Snowfall totaled 6.3 inches and is 37 percent below the long-term average. For 2001, the average temperature was 1.5°F above average and precipitation was 60% below normal (3rd driest year since 1948).
past 30-days precipitation
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past 90-days precipitation
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past 365-days precipitation
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Sheridan
The average temperature in December was 25.9°F. This is 2.85°F warmer than average. The maximum temperature for the month was 56°F on the 8th and the minimum of -9°F occurred on the 30th. No record temperatures occurred during the month.
Precipitation total of 0.04 inch is 94 percent below normal and represents the driest December since 1948. Snowfall totaled 0.7 inch and is 94 percent below the long-term average. For 2001, the average temperature was 0.8°F above average and precipitation was 29% below normal.
past 30-days precipitation
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Casper
The average temperature in December was 25.3°F. This is 1.0°F warmer than the new 1971-2000 (Normals) average. The maximum temperature for the month was 49°F on the 3rd and the minimum of -5°F occurred on the 30th. No record temperatures occurred during the month.
Precipitation total of 0.13 inch is 79 percent below normal. Snowfall totaled of 3.8 inches and is 64 percent below the long-term average. For 2001, the average temperature was 1.6°F above average and precipitation was 49% below normal (2nd driest year since 1948).
past 30-days precipitation
past 30-days temperature
past 90-days precipitation
past 90-days temperature
past 365-days precipitation
past 365-days temperature
Gillette
The average temperature in December was 26.4°F. This is 3.9°F warmer than the new 1971-2000 (Normals) average. The maximum temperature for the month was 52°F on the 17th and the minimum of -5°F occurred on the 30th and 31st. No record temperatures occurred during the month.
Precipitation total of 0.03 inch is 96 percent below normal and represents the 3rd driest December since 1925. For 2001, the average temperature was 2.3°F above average and precipitation was 12% below normal.
Additional Stations:
Big Piney
Buffalo
Douglas
Evanston
Greybull
Rawlins
Riverton
Torrington
Worland
To Wyoming Monthly Summaries Index Listing
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.
The Wyoming State Climatologist Office is funded by the
Wyoming Water Development Commission
WEBMASTER: stateclim@wrds.uwyo.edu
Last reviewed or update: January 3, 2002
