Temperatures were once again above average for the week ending October 9, 2022, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Temperatures ran about 2 degrees above normal in the east, and as much as 6 degrees above normal in far western portions of the State.

Some much-needed moisture was received in portions of the southeast the first two days of the week. Isolated portions of Carbon, Goshen, Laramie, and Platte Counties received the greatest benefit of the rains. A few locations received as much at 0.5 inches of precipitation. Parts of Sheridan County also received some much-needed precipitation at the start of the week. For most of the State, however, moisture levels were insignificant or zero.

According to the US Drought Monitor for October 6, 2022, the amount of land rated drought free increased to 18.2 percent, compared to 15.7 percent the previous week. The amount of land rated abnormally dry stood at 35.1 percent, up 3.3 percentage points from last week. Moderate drought fell to 26.7 percent, down from 32.5 percent. Severe drought conditions covered 16.4 percent of the State, a slight increase from 16.3 percent last week. Extreme drought conditions sat at 3.6 percent, down slightly from 3.7 percent the previous week.

Lincoln County remained for the most part dry and cold and moisture was needed. Calves were being weaned and shipped.

In Platte County, pastures remained dry. Sugar beet harvest started at a slow pace and corn for grain harvest also began. Fall planted wheat fields in the southeastern portions of the county benefitted from the timely moisture that was received. Temperatures ranged from the upper 40s to mid-70s.

Irrigation water supplies across the State were rated 32 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 21 percent fair, and 38 percent good, compared to 23 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 21 percent fair, and 38 percent good last week.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 15 percent very short, 37 percent short, and 48 percent adequate, compared to 15 percent very short, 46 percent short, and 39 percent adequate last week.