Connecting Ag to Climate: Recent and current conditions
By Windy Kelley
Wyoming experienced its 61st coolest and 24th wettest January out of 129 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information database, retrieved Feb. 21.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released Feb. 16, classified over 44 percent of the state as moderate to extreme drought and nearly 20 percent of Wyoming as abnormally dry.
The remainder of the state – over 36 percent – is classified as none. In other words, these areas are not experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.
The current USDM map can be viewed at bit.ly/2S28VTA. Consider submitting a Condition Monitoring Observer Report at bit.ly/3c4WRLR.
Eight- to 14-day and one-month forecasts
NOAA’s eight- to 14-day forecast for March 2-8, issued Feb. 22, shows a 50 to 80 percent probability or chance for below normal temperatures for all of Wyoming, with the probability increasing from east to west.
For the same timeframe, the forecast shows a 40 to 50 percent probability for above normal precipitation for the entire state.
The March forecast, issued Feb. 16, indicates a 33 to 50 percent probability for below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for most of Wyoming.
The exception is the greater southeast corner of the state and west into southern Sweetwater County where there is an equal probability for below, near or above normal temperatures and precipitation.
For details and to view more NOAA forecasts, visit cpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
Windy K. Kelley is the regional Extension program coordinator and state specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Northern Plains Climate Hub, the University of Wyoming Extension and WAFERx. She can be reached at wkelley1@uwyo.edu or 307-367-4380.
