Wyoming Is Now Facing The Worst Mega-Drought In Over 1,200 Years

According to hydrologists, climatologists, and those who study weather patterns, the Western United States is in a decades-long pattern of drought that can compare to the megadroughts of the 13th century. Drastically dry conditions like this haven't been seen for more than 1,200 years.

Wyoming is no exception, and over the past 20 years, drought in Wyoming has created all sorts of problems on the open range, in forests, and in our parks.

Year after year, for more than two decades, Wyoming has been in a state of drought. In the worst years, most of the state has been affected!

A few years ago, the drought was so bad that even the Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park were effected.

Even in years where there is average or above average snowfall, issues with how quickly it's melting in a warming world causes drier conditions and can contribute to drought in Wyoming.

Earlier snowmelt caused by a warming climate also means slower snow melt, which leaves our rivers and streams drier. When snow takes longer to melt and starts earlier in the season, it doesn't flow as easily to our waterways.

The result is that rivers, usually filled to the banks by a steady snowpack, run dry. The vegetation along the banks can't stay alive without lots of water.

When you combine the early snowmelt with below-average precipitation, a huge problem can arise when the heat of the summer and thunderstorms come rolling in.

Of course, one of the biggest dangers of drought in Wyoming is the threat of wildfire.

More and more small fires are damaging our forests, threatening homes, and ruining farmland and open range.

The Great Yellowstone Fires were the worst in our state's history, and they left a lasting impact that's still felt to this day.

This serious drought in Wyoming is certain to change life in the Cowboy State as we know it.

You can read more about how this megadrought compares to others in history here.

If you want to see first hand how devastating dry conditions can be, read about The Devastating Natural Disaster That Changed Wyoming Forever.