2012 May Be Wyoming’s Driest in 118 Years

A year ago, all parts of Wyoming were free of drought. Now, 2012 is on track to be the driest in Wyoming in 118 years after a dry spring and summer.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report found drought conditions across east central Wyoming had worsened with exceptional drought conditions in most of Goshen, Niobrara and Weston counties and parts of Converse, Campbell and Sweetwater counties.

Parts of central and southwest Wyoming got much more precipitation than normal in November – up to 250 of average in some areas – but the report said that still wasn’t enough to make up for the lack of rain and snowfall earlier in the year.

The Dec. 20 report did find some easing of drought conditions in far western Wyoming.