Drought Information Statement for Western & Central Wyoming Valid August 9, 2024 Issued By: WFO Riverton, WY Contact Information: This product will be updated by August 23, 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. Severe (D2) drought conditions developed in Park and Teton counties Moderate (D1) drought conditions continue across Teton, Park, Sublette, and Lincoln Counties. Fremont, Natrona, Johnson, Hot Springs, and Big Horn Counties also have small areas of moderate drought conditions. Abnormally Dry conditions remain across most of the state with the only exception being parts of Sweetwater County. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None occurring. D3 (Extreme Drought): None occurring. D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of Teton, Park and Fremont Counties as well as along the eastern border of Wyoming. D1 (Moderate Drought): Areas of Lincoln to Sublette, Teton and Park counties. Western Fremont and Hot Springs counties. Big Horn, Johnson and northeast Natrona counties. This also includes nearly all eastern counties in Wyoming D0: (Abnormally Dry): All other counties except a small section of Sweetwater County. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Southern Sweetwater and eastern Unita counties, and across much of northern and eastern Wyoming. No Change: Across the far northwest and for much of the middle and southern areas of the state. Drought Improved: Only a couple small slivers of improvement in the southeast. Persistent high pressure remained over the western CONUS keeping conditions mainly hot and dry. As a result, many places have seen limited precipitation chances and near record heat. Precipitation Much of Wyoming had below normal precipitation over the past 30 days. Above normal precipitation was mainly focused over northern Sweetwater, and portions of Fremont, Hot Springs, Big Horn and western Natrona Counties. Link to ACIS Climate Maps from the High Plains Regional Climate Center Temperature Park County was the hot spot with 6-8 degrees above normal. Teton, Lincoln, Sublette, Johnson, Washakie, Big Horn, and Sweetwater Counties saw temperatures 2-6 degrees above normal. The remainder of the state was 0-2 degrees above normal. Below average temperatures were only noted over the high elevations of Sublette and Sweetwater counties. Summary of Impacts (graphics on following slides) Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Conditions are expected to remain dry across much of the state with some areas seeing worsening drought conditions through the middle of August. Any flooding would be the result of thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall over a short period of time. Agricultural Impacts USDA Wyoming Crop Progress and Condition Reports can be found here Fire Hazard Impacts The far southwest areas of the state have small chances with low humidity and gusty winds, but not showing any significant impacts at this time (Most recent Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook) Other Impacts Wildland grasses and shrubs have reached critical criteria across many areas in the state with further drying expected. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information Clear debris from around structures to protect from potential wildfires Agricultural Impacts The lack of significant precipitation has impacted areas of northern and eastern Wyoming Short-term water need vs. Available Water in a Shallow Soil profile is trending dry. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Temperatures for August are expected to trend above normal, with much of the area having a 50-70% chance of warmer-than-normal temperatures. August precipitation chances are leaning toward below normal amounts with a 33-40% chance. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are expected to further develop or persist over the west and far north, as well as the eastern counties