Southeast Wyoming Snowpack Hits Record Lows This Spring

Exceptionally warm March melts off much of the existing snow, leaving rivers uncertain and altering the familiar landscape

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:24am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and white, depicting the snow-capped mountains of southeast Wyoming partially obscured by heavy fog, conveying a sense of the overwhelming scale and power of nature.The once-familiar mountain landscape of southeast Wyoming is altered by record-low snowpack levels, a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change on the region.Cheyenne Today

The snowpack levels for mountain ranges in southeast Wyoming are as low as 0 percent in one case, and all are far below median levels for this time of year. The weather service says this is the lowest on record, with the exceptional warmth in March melting off much of the existing snow pack.

Why it matters

The low snowpack levels will have significant impacts on the region, affecting rivers, water supplies, and the local landscape that many residents cherish. This is an alarming development that highlights the effects of climate change on the local environment.

The details

According to the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service, the snowpack levels in the mountain ranges of southeast Wyoming are at record lows, with one location reporting 0 percent of the median. The unusually warm temperatures in March, which the weather service called the "worst case scenario", melted off much of the existing snowpack, leading to the current record-low levels.

  • The snowpack peaked in mid-March at its lowest level on record.
  • Over the last several weeks, the snowpack has declined significantly due to the extremely warm temperatures in March.

The players

Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service

The local office of the National Weather Service that monitors and reports on weather conditions in southeast Wyoming.

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The takeaway

The record-low snowpack levels in southeast Wyoming are a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change on local environments. The lack of snowpack will have far-reaching consequences for the region's rivers, water supplies, and overall landscape, underscoring the need for proactive measures to address the effects of a warming climate.