Cheyenne, Wyoming, sits on the high plains at an elevation over 6,000 feet, which significantly influences its climate and weather patterns. The city is known for its cold, moderately long winters and frequent, often unpredictable, winter precipitation. Its geographic position near the Rocky Mountains leads to a winter season that extends well beyond what many other regions experience.
Annual Average Snowfall Totals
Cheyenne receives an average of approximately 60 to 63 inches of snow annually, based on recent 30-year climate normals. This total is more than double the national average for the United States, which typically averages around 28 inches per year. The city’s elevation and proximity to the mountains contribute to these higher accumulation figures.
Historical records show extreme variability in yearly totals, ranging from a low of about 13 inches to over 121 inches in a heavy snow year. This wide range highlights the unpredictable nature of winter weather. Although the average is significant, thick snow cover rarely remains on the ground for extended periods due to frequent warming periods.
Seasonal Distribution and Timing
The snowy period in Cheyenne is notably long, typically lasting for about eight months, with the first measurable snowfall often occurring in October. The snow season usually extends into May, meaning residents must be prepared for winter conditions even as spring approaches.
March and April frequently bring the heaviest snowfall, with April sometimes recording the highest monthly average accumulation. This late-season timing is characteristic of the high plains climate, as the region receives moisture from frontal systems crossing the country. While December is the coldest month, winter storms tend to intensify in the later months of the season.
High-Impact Weather Events
High winds dramatically increase the impact of even moderate snowfall, as Cheyenne is situated in a particularly windy corridor. Winter storms are frequently accompanied by strong, persistent winds, which often lead to ground blizzards even when no new snow is falling.
High winds pick up fallen snow, reducing visibility to near zero and creating treacherous driving conditions. This wind-driven snow forms large, impassable drifts that accumulate quickly against infrastructure. The practical effect of a snow event is often more severe than the accumulation total alone would suggest.
Measuring and Reporting Snowfall
Meteorological services precisely measure snowfall to differentiate between the amount that falls and the amount remaining on the ground. Snowfall is defined as the maximum depth of new snow that has fallen in a set observation period, typically 24 hours. This measurement is important because snow begins to settle and compress almost immediately after falling.
Snow depth, conversely, refers to the total amount of snow currently covering the ground at the time of observation. This figure is generally lower than the total accumulated snowfall due to settling, melting, or evaporation. For Cheyenne’s typically dry, high-altitude snow, the snow-to-liquid ratio can sometimes be higher than the standard 10:1, meaning a relatively small amount of water content can produce a significant depth of light, fluffy snow.