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Weather & Climate in El Rancho, WY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
El Rancho has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 302 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 15.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 65.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 4,899 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 44.4°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,899 ft (1,493 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 41/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.2680°N, 105.0477°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Converse County County |
| Nearest Airport | Laramie Regional (LAR) 75 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 34.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 31.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Oct 19, 1996 | 21 km E of Antelope Hills, Wyoming | M4.2 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Aug 2, 2021 | 12 km NW of Rolling Hills, Wyoming | M3.8 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Aug 29, 2004 | 16 km NNW of Douglas, Wyoming | M3.8 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2003 | 11 km E of Antelope Hills, Wyoming | M3.7 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 1993 | 41 km W of Esterbrook, Wyoming | M3.7 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Jul 23, 1993 | 29 km WNW of Esterbrook, Wyoming | M3.7 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 1996 | 34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.7 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Feb 15, 2004 | 19 km N of Douglas, Wyoming | M3.5 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Aug 22, 2016 | 16 km S of Casper Mountain, Wyoming | M3.2 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2020 | 16 km NW of Rolling Hills, Wyoming | M3.2 | 112 km | 34 km |
| Dec 13, 1993 | 14 km SW of Esterbrook, Wyoming | M3.2 | 38 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.1 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2018 | 7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming | M3.0 | 20 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 1993 | 25 km N of Douglas, Wyoming | M3.0 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Nov 2, 1992 | 5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming | M3.0 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 1993 | 29 km NW of Hanna, Wyoming | M3.0 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2000 | 34 km S of Alcova, Wyoming | M3.0 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2011 | 22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming | M2.9 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Sep 7, 2019 | 23 km WSW of Esterbrook, Wyoming | M2.9 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 2000 | 37 km W of Esterbrook, Wyoming | M2.9 | 65 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
210 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 17 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 28, 2018 | EF3 | 57 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1978 | EF3 | 87 km | 53.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1955 | EF3 | 43 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1955 | EF3 | 69 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2023 | EF2 | 85 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2019 | EF2 | 42 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2017 | EF2 | 70 km | 25.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2012 | EF2 | 25 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2009 | EF2 | 90 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1998 | EF2 | 97 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1984 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1982 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1982 | EF2 | 59 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1978 | EF2 | 90 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1978 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1967 | EF2 | 63 km | 12.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1963 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1960 | EF2 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1955 | EF2 | 29 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2023 | EF1 | 93 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ARAPAHO (100,043 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | ARAPAHO | 100,043 | 30 km |
| 1996 | OLMSTEAD D | 44,562 | 88 km |
| 2024 | PLEASANT VALLEY | 28,249 | 34 km |
| 2010 | ORPHA | 25,839 | 82 km |
| 2006 | OLD CHICAGO | 25,218 | 29 km |
| 2018 | BRITANIA MOUNTAIN | 23,701 | 28 km |
| 2016 | SIMMONS | 20,950 | 75 km |
| 2002 | REESE | 19,624 | 36 km |
| 2002 | HENSEL | 14,439 | 29 km |
| 2011 | SQUAW MTN | 14,379 | 40 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,279 | 98 km |
| 2012 | SAWMILL CANYON | 13,438 | 24 km |
| 2006 | TWENTY MILE | 11,732 | 64 km |
| 2000 | CO LINE | 10,961 | 79 km |
| 1999 | WALKER | 10,022 | 71 km |
| 2010 | WILLOW CREEK | 9,706 | 83 km |
| 1996 | BONER | 9,414 | 91 km |
| 2012 | COW CAMP | 8,567 | 28 km |
| 2006 | TRAILER | 8,040 | 57 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE BOX ELDER | 6,329 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 1.7 in | |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in |
El Rancho has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 27°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.4") and January the driest (0.3").