History | Climate | Income/Cost of Living | Housing | Government | Education | Medical Services Transportation | Utilities | Communication | Recreation | Churches | Community Facilities 

CLIMATE

Wyoming Road Information – 888-WYO-ROAD (996-7623) or in-state dial 511 http://wyoroad.info

Climate Summary:

Due to its high elevation, Wyoming overall has a relatively cool climate. However, the lower elevations in Lovell and the surrounding Big Horn Basin are among the warmest parts of the state. Summer nights are almost always cool, even with high daytime readings and it is generally 20-30 degrees cooler in the nearby mountains.

In the wintertime, it is common to have rapid and frequent changes between mild and cold spells. Many of the cold waves are not accompanied by enough snowfall to cause severe conditions. During winter warm spells, nighttime temperatures often remain above freezing and warm Chinook winds are fairly frequent. 

Snowfall in the lower elevations of the Big Horn Basin is considered light to moderate and accumulations are generally less than 5 inches during a single storm. Annual averages in the Big Horn Basin run from 15 to 20 inches. The higher elevations of the mountains the annual amounts are well over 200 inches. Wintertime snow accumulations in the higher elevations and many area streams fed by the melting snow furnish water for thousands of acres of irrigated land.

Early fall freezes and late spring freezes are commonplace, which results in a relatively short growing season – averaging 135 days in many years. Sunshine days run from 60 percent in the winter to roughly 75 percent in the summer. Because of very low amounts of fog, haze, and smoke, the intensity of the sunshine is very high.

Precipitation is quite low and a majority of the annual total happens in spring and early summer. The mountains to the east west block a great deal of moisture-laden air resulting in the Big Horn Basin being the driest part of the state.

The average relative humidity is low and helps contribute to delightful summer weather. Summer ranges are generally 25-30 percent and occasionally it will be in the 5-10 percent range. The nighttime range is usually between 65 and 75 percent.

Hailstorms are the most destructive type of severe weather in the area, with crop damage a common result. Tornadoes do occur, but a far fewer and less destructive than those in the Midwest. Most touch down for a very brief time, and most occur in the eastern portions of Wyoming.

Lovell does not have strong prevailing winds throughout much of the year. Average wind speeds at the Greybull Airport (32 miles south) range from 4.1 miles per hour in January to 9.5 miles per hour in April, with an annual average of 6.9. Wind direction is from the northwest most of the year, but changes to east-southeast October through December.