National Weather Service Text Product Display

Drought Information Statement
Issued by NWS Riverton, WY
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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AXUS75 KRIW 232214
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WYZ001>020-022>030-020000-

DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT
National Weather Service Riverton WY
412 PM MDT SUN MAY 23 2021

...DROUGHT CONDITIONS SLOWLY IMPROVE ACROSS CENTRAL WYOMING...

.SYNOPSIS:

.Drought Intensity and Extent: According to the latest update of the
U.S. Drought Monitor on May 20th, over 89 percent of the state of
Wyoming is covered by drought conditions... improving from 93
percent observed in late April. Extreme (D3) Drought conditions
remain across extreme southeastern Sweetwater County, while exiting
the central sections of the state.

Severe (D2) Drought conditions remained across the eastern half of Johnson,
southern Natrona, northeast and southern Sweetwater, southwest Fremont,
most of Teton, southwest Park and the northern half of Lincoln and Sublette
Counties.

Moderate (D1) Drought conditions continued across western and central
Sweetwater, southern Lincoln and Sublette Counties, as well as across
southern and southwest Fremont, western Park, most of central Washakie
and Johnson Counties. Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions were observed across
northwest and central Park, most of Hot Springs, northern Fremont,
northwest Natrona, western Johnson and southern Big Horn Counties.

Precipitation:
The main weather pattern across the region in April and early May remained
mostly the same as in March, with most of the storm systems traversing
south of the state and then to the northeast. This kept most of the
precipitation falling on the eastern slopes of the Wind River and
Bighorn Mountain ranges, while leaving drier than normal conditions
across the rest of the state. Overall, the temperature pattern was
warmer than normal across the north central and south central sections
of Wyoming with cooler conditions across the west. Precipitation was well
below normal across most of the state with above average precipitation
totals located over southern Lincoln, and western Fremont and Hot Springs
Counties. The driest areas were recorded across eastern Johnson and
northeast Natrona and Park Counties with less than 25 percent of normal,
while the wettest areas were located across southern Lincoln County with
over 130 percent of normal.

. Hydrologic Conditions:
The latest report of the average monthly stream flows across western and
central Wyoming for the period of April through mid May were observed to
be slightly below normal for this time of the year. The increased
precipitation across northern and central Wyoming brought the flows of
the Wind and Powder Rivers to near normal, while drier conditions across
the rest of the region produced below average streamflows to the west and
south. Reservoir levels across the region continued to show gradual
improvements as warmer weather finished melting the lower and mid level
snow packs.

.SUMMARY OF IMPACTS:

.Agriculture Impacts...
The latest crop reports from across the state showed that the last few
rounds of widespread but light precipitation and cooler temperatures
assisted in the slight improvement of soil moisture conditions across
the region. The May 16th, 2021 USDA Wyoming Crop Progress and Condition
Report indicated that 47 percent of topsoil moisture across the state
was reported at the short to very short levels, compared to 32 percent
this time last year and the 5 year average of 18 percent. Subsoil moisture
reports across the state also indicated a slight improvement as 57 percent
were reported at being very short to short, compared to 30 percent a year
ago and a 5 year average of 22 percent.

Pasture and rangeland conditions have also seen minimal improvement as
areas across the state have been rated at 45 percent very poor to poor,
compared to 6 percent this time last year and a 5 year average of 5 percent.

.Fire Danger Impacts...
Precipitation was very selective across Wyoming in April and early May
with above normal precipitation observed across southern Lincoln, western
Fremont and Hot Springs, and eastern Big Horn Counties. Otherwise drier
than normal conditions prevailed which did not help with improving soil
moisture conditions across the region. The latest National Interagency
Fire Center (NIFC) Observed Fire Danger ratings indicated Moderate Fire
Danger across western and southern Wyoming with Low Danger ratings across
the northern and central parts of the state.

.DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS:

None at this time.

.LOCAL PRECIPITATION/TEMPERATURE OUTLOOK:

The updated Climate Prediction Center`s (CPC) outlook for the rest of May
and early June indicated a better than average chance of above normal
temperatures across Wyoming, along with a better than average chance of
below normal precipitation. The CPC seasonal outlooks for the period of
late June through August indicated a better than average chance of warmer
temperatures along with a better than average chance of drier conditions
across the region, especially across the west and south.

The latest U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook updated for June depicts that
widespread drought conditions will persist across much of Wyoming, while
the recently issued U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook for the months of July
and August maintains the tendency for drought conditions to continue and
even intensify across the state.

.NEXT ISSUANCE DATE:

This product will be updated by late June or sooner if necessary, in
response to significant changes in conditions.

&&

.RELATED WEB SITES:

Additional information on current drought conditions may be found at
The following web addresses:

U.S. Drought Monitor: https://www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu
U.S. Drought Information System: https://drought.gov
NWS Riverton drought page: https://www.weather.gov/riw/drought
Wyoming Water Resource Data System (WRDS): http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu

To report effects of the drought in your area, please go to the Drought
Impact Reporter at: http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

.Acknowledgments:

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a multi-agency effort involving the
National Weather Service and National Centers for Environmental
Information, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
state and regional climatologists, and the National Drought Mitigation
Center. Information for this statement was gathered from NWS and FAA
observation sites, state cooperative extension services, the USDA and USGS.

.Questions or comments:

If you have any questions or comments about this drought information
Statement, please contact:

National Weather Service
12744 West US Highway 26
Riverton, WY 82501
Phone:  800-211-1448
Email:  nws.riverton@noaa.gov

$$
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
