Wyoming's Snowless Winter Raises Drought Concerns

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The general absence of snow this winter in Northeast Wyoming has created a brown landscape, with plants and animals acting as if it's much later in the spring. Farmers and ranchers are worriedly watching the forecasts, as the threat of drought is a major concern. However, low snowpack does not necessarily mean the region will experience drought, as spring precipitation is the key factor in determining forage production.

Why it matters

A snowless winter can impact river and dam levels, as well as winter recreational activities that bring income to the area. While the lack of snow is troubling, it does not definitively predict drought conditions. Weather patterns, particularly the La Niña climate pattern, are better indicators of potential drought.

The details

The unusually warm weather has plants and animals acting as though it's much later in the spring. Trees are budding, plants are pushing through the dirt, and farmers and ranchers are closely monitoring the forecasts. Low snowpack has minimal impacts on the prediction of drought, as winter precipitation is not absorbed into the ground like spring moisture. Spring precipitation, particularly from April through June, is the driving force of forage production on rangelands.

• The general absence of snow has been observed this winter in Northeast Wyoming.
• Forecasts for the year have suggested a weak La Niña, which might result in less extreme impacts, but typically influences weather patterns through the winter months before transitioning to neutral conditions by early spring.
• The snowiest periods will be late February through mid-late March, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
• April through June precipitation is the driving force of forage production on rangelands, accounting for almost half of the annual precipitation in this region.

What’s next

The National Weather Service climate prediction center shows the spring outlook favors near-equal chances of above-average precipitation, which may bring late-season snow to the mountains and help saturate soils, potentially delaying planting but reducing the risk of drought.