After nearly a decade of mostly dry conditions, the state of Wyoming appears to be breaking out of its drought.

The National Weather Service recently announced that the state continues to be drought-free since late June and State Climatologist Steve Gray said the state has a strong foundation in place to help it recover from past dry conditions.

“On the whole, what’s really helped us out is a couple of very wet months,” Gray said.

According to the National Weather Service, Torrington has experienced 16.6 inches of precipitation so far this year, a far cry above amounts like the 7.19 inches that fell in 2002.

Some of those dry spells in years like 2002 and 2003 were the “punches that took us down to our knees in some cases,” Gray said.

Comparing soil to a sponge, Gray said wetness and excess moisture play a critical role in helping recharge area soil that has been stripped of its water content during drought conditions.

During the cooler months like October when there isn’t as much evaporation, heavy amounts of precipitation can even find its way into soil below the root level, he said.

Gray’s office doesn’t make forecasts, but he said the weather service’s Climate Prediction Center models predict a warmer upcoming winter with an average amount of precipitation.

While conditions lately have been favorable, Gray said simply having a wet month of October in the Goshen County area isn’t a great indicator of future conditions.

However, the improved conditions have played a key role in replenishing the state’s water supply.

“We’ve had some substantial recovery in the last two years,” John Lawson, Wyoming area manager for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said.



For the complete article see the 11-18-2009 issue.

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