Climate & Weather in Wyoming
Wyoming's climate is genuinely diverse across a high, dry, mountainous state -- the nation's windiest by average speed, with genuinely harsh, long winters across most of the state and a distinct alpine climate in its western mountain ranges, all under a semi-arid, low-humidity umbrella shaped by roughly 6,700 feet of average elevation.
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Learn moreWyoming is, statistically, the windiest US state
Wyoming ranks 1st in the nation for average wind speed at 12.9 mph statewide -- a real, defining, year-round feature, not just a winter phenomenon. Cheyenne itself averages 18 mph annually, and winter brings frequent periods of sustained 30-40 mph wind with gusts of 50-60 mph. This is worth taking seriously when evaluating any Wyoming property, from outdoor-living plans to how exposed a specific site is on the open plains versus more sheltered terrain.
Cheyenne temperatures, as a representative eastern-plains example
Cheyenne's annual mean temperature runs 47°F, with winter (Dec-Feb) daily highs averaging around 41°F and lows around 21°F -- December, the coldest month, averages a 39°F high and 20°F low. Statewide, Wyoming ranks a cool 41st nationally for annual average temperature (45.6°F), reflecting the state's high elevation across most of its populated basins.
Semi-arid, low-humidity, and genuinely varied by region
Wyoming's high-plains basins (Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Laramie) carry a cold semi-arid climate with genuinely low humidity and large seasonal temperature swings, while the western mountain ranges -- the Tetons, Bighorns, Wind River Range, and Absarokas -- carry a colder, snowier alpine climate distinct from the plains. This record could not find a single, current, reliable statewide-average-snowfall figure this pass trusts enough to cite as a standalone number; snowfall varies enormously by elevation, so confirm the specific figure for any target community directly.
What this means for day-to-day life
Plan for genuinely long, cold winters (roughly October through April in the higher elevations), real, sustained wind exposure, and a dry climate that keeps humidity low even in summer heat. Air conditioning is less universally necessary than in humid states, but wind-resistant landscaping, exterior construction, and winter-driving preparedness (see the hurricane-preparedness topic for real winter-storm detail) matter more here than in most states.
Key takeaways
- Wyoming is the nation's windiest state by average speed (12.9 mph statewide) -- a real, year-round, defining climate feature.
- Cheyenne's annual mean temperature runs 47°F, with winter lows averaging around 21°F and December's coldest-month low at 20°F.
- Wyoming's climate is genuinely diverse: semi-arid, low-humidity high plains basins versus a colder, snowier alpine climate in the western mountain ranges.
- No single, trusted statewide-average-snowfall figure exists -- confirm the specific figure for your target community, since it varies enormously by elevation.
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