WYOMING – Precipitation levels varied across Wyoming for the week ending Nov. 13, 2022, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Portions of the west and northwest received above average amounts of moisture. Once again, isolated areas of the west received precipitation levels of about 2 inches or more.

In the majority of eastern Wyoming, however, precipitation levels ran below normal.

Temperatures were below normal for all of Wyoming. Southern areas of the state saw temperatures running about 6 degrees below average. Portions of northern Wyoming experienced temperatures as much as 12-18 degrees below normal.

Extreme drought conditions increased according to the United States Drought Monitor report published on Nov. 10, 2022. The amount of land rated drought free was unchanged at 14.1%. Abnormal dryness was found in 29.1% of the state, compared to 32.4% the previous week.

Moderate drought stood at 27.0%, down 0.4 percentage points. Severe drought was found in 22.7% of Wyoming, a slight change from 22.6% the previous week. Extreme drought conditions escalated to 7.1%, up from 3.5% last week. The week brought periodic storms in Lincoln County. Days were cool followed by cold nights. Grounds were freezing up and farmers faced difficulty cultivating fields. A report from Goshen County indicated conditions remained dry. Corn harvest advanced to 71% statewide. Hay and roughage supplies were rated 20% very short, 36% short, 42% adequate, and 2% surplus, compared to 26% very short, 39% short, 33% adequate, and 2% surplus last week. Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 3% very short, 57% short, 39% adequate, and 1% surplus, compared to 7% very short, 57% short, 35% adequate, and 1% surplus last week.