Weather & Climate in Cowley, WY

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Cowley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 293 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 6.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 13.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 3,987 feet.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	44.9°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	19°F (-7°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,987 ft (1,215 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.2 km²)
Population Density	921/sq mi
Coordinates	44.8835°N, 108.4693°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Big Horn County County
Nearest Airport	Yellowstone Regional (COD) 37 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 6.5"

83% below US avg

Snowfall 13.3"

Wettest Month (May) 1.89"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	34.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	31.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	52.6 / 100
Community Resilience	7.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

51 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

May 11, 2022	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	123 km	14 km
Mar 25, 2008	35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	124 km	4 km
Jan 9, 2007	7 km ENE of East Thermopolis, Wyoming	M3.5	138 km	5 km
Nov 16, 1993	17 km SSE of Ten Sleep, Wyoming	M3.5	141 km	5 km
Mar 4, 2019	35 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.3	129 km	6 km
Apr 5, 2002	7 km W of South Flat, Wyoming	M3.3	109 km	5 km
Jan 9, 2009	42 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.3	143 km	7 km
Aug 16, 1992	47 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.2	125 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	75 km	5 km
Nov 9, 2009	40 km SW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.1	144 km	6 km
Dec 16, 2012	40 km W of Owl Creek, Wyoming	M3.1	131 km	5 km
Feb 13, 1998	12 km NE of Hyattville, Wyoming	M3.0	97 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2017	22 km SW of Owl Creek, Wyoming	M3.0	138 km	13 km
Aug 8, 2003	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	123 km	4 km
Mar 2, 2014	9 km SE of Washakie Ten, Wyoming	M2.9	107 km	0 km
Nov 6, 1998	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	121 km	15 km
Feb 28, 2007	44 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	144 km	2 km
May 3, 2013	35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	126 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2017	38 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	121 km	13 km
Mar 15, 2022	51 km SE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M2.9	149 km	6 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

51 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 2, 1985	EF3	41 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	37 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 11, 1978	EF2	37 km	0.4 mi	0
Jul 4, 1978	EF2	57 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 24, 1967	EF2	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1964	EF2	27 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1962	EF2	60 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1962	EF2	45 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 26, 1959	EF2	84 km	9.2 mi	1
Jun 3, 1958	EF2	67 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 1, 2009	EF1	88 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 26, 2001	EF1	56 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 6, 1997	EF1	48 km	1.0 mi	0
May 18, 1991	EF1	39 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	31 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 25, 1986	EF1	57 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1984	EF1	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 24, 1981	EF1	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1978	EF1	18 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 4, 1976	EF1	66 km	0.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (181 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	181 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GUNBARREL (69,730 acres, 2008).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2008	GUNBARREL	69,730	88 km
2018	TEREK	43,872	96 km
2021	ROBERTSON DRAW	31,132	62 km
1996	SHEPARD MTN	17,379	96 km
2007	BONE CREEK	12,776	70 km
2016	WHIT	12,731	88 km
2008	CASCADE	10,017	84 km
1996	COLFAX	8,429	97 km
2021	CRATER RIDGE	8,147	57 km
2011	HOLE IN THE WALL	6,559	69 km
2006	BIRTHDAY2	6,553	75 km
2017	MICROWAVE	5,958	91 km
2003	LITTLE HORN II	5,889	62 km
2003	DEEP LAKE	5,466	68 km
2002	COW CREEK	5,162	89 km
2002	RED WAFFLE	5,060	25 km
2005	BIG HORN	4,899	41 km
1991	ROBERTSON	4,812	62 km
2000	PEASE	4,361	96 km
2021	CROOKED CREEK	4,295	36 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	19°F (-7°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	0.6 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.0 in
May	55°F (13°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
June	64°F (18°C)	1.6 in
July	71°F (22°C)	0.8 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.8 in
September	58°F (15°C)	1.1 in
October	46°F (8°C)	0.9 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.5 in
December	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in

Cowley has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 19°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.3").

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