It has been warm and dry here in Cody this year. But that is not unusual.
People sometimes are under the impression that winter arrives and dumps prodigious amounts of snow from New Mexico to Canada from October to May. That is simply not true. Sure, the higher elevations can see plenty of the white stuff in winter, but that is a good thing since the ski areas just happen to be located there.
Snow remains in the high country as late as August.
If you watch a Denver Broncos game on television, more often than not the sun is shining and the fans are in their shirtsleeves. There was one Monday night game, however, where the snow started falling in the first quarter and covered the field quickly. The next day – maybe even that night – the telephones at the resorts started ringing and people started booking rooms and vacation packages.
Our weather is very much like Denver’s. It tends to be fair, dry and sunny. Our elevation is right around 5,000 feet.
Plows clear snow on highways to make way for visitors.
So when a spring snowstorm blew through here on Tax Day, few people complained. We can always use the moisture, and we knew it would not take long for the snow to melt. The sun comes back out almost immediately, and we are hiking, biking, riding and all of those other fun things before you know it.
The quick change in the weather prompted me to look up some facts about our weather.
Here is what I learned:
- The average rainfall in Cody is 9-10 inches per year. The average for the entire country is 36 inches. The odds are pretty good that you live somewhere that is not as dry.
- Our average snowfall is just under 40 inches for the year. That probably accounts for the Boston accents of several people who recently called our chamber of commerce to say they are considering moving here.
- We have 213 sunny days every year. I have seen people get into heated arguments about what constitutes a “sunny” day. Some say an hour of sun is necessary. Others say more than half of the time between sunrise and sunset. While I see no reason to get angry about this topic, I will say that the sun shines a lot here.
Sunny days outnumber cloudy days in Cody Yellowstone Country.
- The statistics say that we have 67 “precipitation” days versus 100 for the whole country.
- Our “comfort index” is 90. The country’s is 44. In case you didn’t guess, the higher the number the more comfortable.
If you are planning a vacation in Cody, the odds are in your favor that weather will not be a problem. Make sure you bring a light jacket and plenty of sunscreen.
Until next week, I am lovin’ life – and breathing clean, dry air – in Cody, Wyo.
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