Heat in East Sweetwater County, Wyoming

It was a record breaking second half of the month around Rock Springs. At the Sweetwater County airport, average daily temperatures from March 17 through March 30 averaged more than 17 degrees above normal. All but one of those days were more than 11 degrees above normal. Nine new daily record high temperatures were set, including four consecutive days from March 18 to March 21. The previous all time monthly high temperature was tied or broken seven times, with the new all time monthly high of 78 set on March 25. The high of 72 on March 18 was the earliest occurrence of 70 degrees in station history. Records at the Sweetwater County date back to 1948.

A very strong ridge of high pressure set up across much of the western United States and brought an long period of record breaking warmth. The most impressive stretch was from March 18 through March 21. In total, 71 new daily record high temperatures were set out of a possible 126 high temperatures at RIW CLI sites (longer term climate sites), greater than half of the daily highs. Every location was at least 10 degrees above normal through the period. Every location had their all time warmest period for these two weeks, with three locations; the Riverton Airport, the Sweetwater County airport near Rock Springs, and the Lander airport; more than 8 degrees above the previous warmest period. All locations set their all time high temperature March multiple times in this stretch. Six locations had their earliest 80 degree high temperature, with four stations having their first 80 degree or greater March high temperatures in station history.