Discover the Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded in Wyoming

Wyoming is one of the coldest states in the U.S., and in the winter the area is graced with freezing temperatures and snow. The weather in Wyoming gets relatively hot in the summer and has frosty winters. Among the chilliest states in the winter, there have been several times Wyoming has reached recorded freezing temperatures. Let’s take a look at the coldest temperature ever recorded in Wyoming, and the coldest place in the state. 

The Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded in Wyoming

In Wyoming the coldest temperature ever recorded was an extreme low of -66° F. This temperature was recorded on February 9, 1933, in Yellowstone National Park. Around 95% of Yellowstone National Park is located in Wyoming, with about small portions of it creeping into Idaho, and Montana. 

Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, and it is the coldest region of the state. With a size of 3,472 square miles, Yellowstone is Wyoming’s most popular attraction and has nearly 5 million visitors yearly. January and February are the coldest times of the year in the region, with temperatures regularly ranging from 0 to 20 F°.

Yellowstone National Park

It is the first National Park in the United States, but also in the world. March 1, 1872, is when Yellowstone was officially created as a national park after President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act. The amazing mountain wilderness, more than 200 animal species, and other enchanting forms of nature are protected for generations to enjoy. Visiting Yellowstone is great any time of the year. with its winter filled with ice and snow. 

Winter in Wyoming

Wyoming has both long, and cold winters. January is the coldest month in the state, and the month has an average high of 42°F and an average low of 28°F. Wyoming is one of the snowiest states in the United States. At its lower elevations, it gets around 60 to 70 inches of snowfall, while areas in the southwest portion get between 45 to 55 inches. 

In the U.S. Wyoming is a fun place to visit for a memorable winter. With the national parks, mountain regions, plains, and hills, the state becomes a winter wonderland. Wildlife in Wyoming tends to calm in the winter, as many animals begin to hibernate, but there are still plenty of wildlife that are still active. 

Animals in Wyoming’s Winter

Some of the wildlife in Wyoming does not hibernate, and there are several accustomed to the snow and cold of the season. Yellowstone and other areas in Wyoming are often a great time to view the wildlife since there are fewer people out, and some animals may even be more active. Here are some of Wyoming’s best winter wildlife. 

Bison

In winter, you will see bison in Yellowstone in the lower regions of the north side of the park. Bison prefer to go to areas that are less cold and have more vegetation for them to feed on in the winter. While rare in the past, today there are around 4,500 in Yellowstone. Bison are dense, with thick coats helping them survive winter. 

Mule Deer

They are one of Wyoming’s wildlife that is able to stay active in the winter. They seek sheltered areas that have food and cover from the cold. These animals move to lower elevations in the winter, and they are one of Wyoming’s most sought-after deer. 

Elk

In the Wyoming winter thousands of elk move to lower elevations. They are in the state within places like the National Elk Refuge. Elk shed their summer coat, and grow a winter coat to keep warm, which is around 5 times thicker. In the lower-level wilderness of Wyoming, they are one of the state’s most common winter animals. 

Coyotes 

In winter coyotes do not hibernate and are actually quite active in the cold season. They spend most of their time searching for food, which they need to keep their energy up. Their diet is full of carrion, and deer since they lack the insects, fruit, and rodents common in the other months. Found all over the state, coyotes are a common animal. 

Big Horn Sheep

Bighorn sheep like other winter animals move to lower elevations where plant life is more common. They can weigh over 300 lbs, and these large horned sheep live in groups of up to 300 members. There are around 15 populations of bighorn sheep in Wyoming, and they are native to the state. Wyoming has one of the largest herds of wintering bighorn sheep, located on Whiskey Mountain.

Up Next:

• First Snow in Wyoming: The Earliest and Latest First Snows on Record
• 8 Rivers in Wyoming
• Discover the Highest Point in Wyoming
• 9 Beautiful Trees Native to Wyoming

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Jonathan Steele