Drought Information Statement for Western & Central Wyoming Valid May, 16, 2024 Issued By: WFO Riverton, WY Contact Information: This product will be updated by June 7, 2024, or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/riw/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Moderate (D1) drought conditions continue across northeast and north-central Wyoming 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None occurring D3 (Extreme Drought): None occurring D2 (Severe Drought): None occurring D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of Park, Teton, and Johnson Counties; also, Bighorn Mountain portions of Big Horn and Washakie Counties D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Natrona, Sublette, Teton, and eastern Big Horn and Washakie Counties Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Far southeast Johnson and extreme northeast Natrona Counties No Change: Teton, Sublette, Park, Johnson, and portions of Natrona Counties Drought Improved: Mainly Big Horn and Washakie Counties, the Bighorn Mountains, and southeast Natrona County Several wet spring storm systems helped provide needed precipitation to the Bighorn Mountains and adjacent areas during the first half of May Precipitation Areas west of the Continental Divide and the central Bighorn Basin had below normal precipitation over the past 30 days Above normal precipitation was mainly focused over Fremont and Hot Springs Counties Link to ACIS Climate Maps from the High Plains Regional Climate Center Temperature Much of the region saw around or slightly below normal temperatures the past 30 days The temperatures most below normal were scattered across the far north and southern Bighorn Mountains Far southwest Wyoming saw temperatures slightly above normal 7-Day Average Streamflow Ending May 15, 2024 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Big Sandy Basin has below normal streamflow for this time of year A majority of the region has normal streamflow Portions of the Bighorn, North Platte, and Middle Powder River Basins have above normal streamflow as compared to normal Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 05 15 2024 Agricultural Impacts Recent precipitation has created wet soil moisture conditions across mainly northern Wyoming Short-term water need vs. Available Water in a Shallow Soil profile is trending neither dry or moist - this comparison is characterized as “Slightly Dry/ Favorably Moist” Fire Hazard Impacts Grasslands: Many places in “green up” - wildland fire hazards may be possible as fuels become drier in the coming 30-45 days Mountains: Fire season begins after the mountain snow melt ends. Peak wildfire season is usually mid-July through early September Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. July 2024 Outlook August 2024 Outlook Precipitation Outlook Valid May 17-23 Seven-Day Precipitation Forecast The next storm system is set to arrive early next week (May 20-21), but precipitation totals are not looking heavy at this time There is potential for a more vigorous storm arriving from the west Thursday, May 23 (and 24). This storm may pack a better punch and provide cooler temperatures and widespread precipitation Mountain snow, especially in far west and northern Wyoming Lower elevation precipitation will likely be in the form of rain Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. No significant hazards are expected over Wyoming from May 24 through May 29 Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Temperatures for June are expected to trend above normal, with much of the area having a 40-50% chance of warmer-than-normal temperatures. June precipitation chances are expected to have equal chances of below, normal, and above normal. Climatology is favored. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are expected to persist across northeast and far northwest Wyoming through the remainder of May Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Conditions are continuing to trend drier west of the Continental Divide Precipitation the first half of May has provided some drought relief to the Bighorn Mountains Agricultural Impacts USDA Wyoming Crop Progress and Condition Reports can be found here Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time (Most recent Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook) Other Impacts Snowmelt will begin soon as temperatures rise. River flooding depends on many factors, but is possible at any time until the bulk of the snow melts out of the mountains. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information Clear debris from around structures to protect from potential wildfires