Weather & Climate in Medicine Bow, WY

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

Medicine Bow has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 316 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 11.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.7 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 6,558 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	42.2°F
	22% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,558 ft (1,999 m)
Area	3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²)
Population Density	74/sq mi
Coordinates	41.8995°N, 106.2019°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Carbon County County
Nearest Airport	Laramie Regional (LAR) 49 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.2"

71% below US avg

Snowfall 51.7"

Wettest Month (May) 1.42"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	34.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	42.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	47.8 / 100
Community Resilience	25.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

51 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Apr 6, 1999	31 km SE of Wamsutter, Wyoming	M4.3	137 km	10 km
Oct 19, 1996	21 km E of Antelope Hills, Wyoming	M4.2	133 km	5 km
May 26, 2000	5 km S of Bairoil, Wyoming	M4.0	118 km	5 km
Mar 19, 2022	5 km NW of Ryan Park, Wyoming	M3.8	68 km	11 km
Aug 2, 2021	12 km NW of Rolling Hills, Wyoming	M3.8	124 km	10 km
Aug 29, 2004	16 km NNW of Douglas, Wyoming	M3.8	125 km	5 km
Jun 1, 1993	6 km N of Bairoil, Wyoming	M3.7	122 km	5 km
Jul 23, 1993	29 km WNW of Esterbrook, Wyoming	M3.7	76 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2003	11 km E of Antelope Hills, Wyoming	M3.7	131 km	5 km
Oct 10, 1993	41 km W of Esterbrook, Wyoming	M3.7	64 km	5 km
Aug 6, 1998	18 km NNE of Rawlins, Wyoming	M3.6	82 km	10 km
Jun 2, 2023	9 km SSE of Saratoga, Wyoming	M3.6	75 km	1 km
Feb 15, 2004	19 km N of Douglas, Wyoming	M3.5	133 km	10 km
Aug 13, 2004	35 km SW of Alcova, Wyoming	M3.5	76 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2024	9 km SSE of Saratoga, Wyoming	M3.4	73 km	10 km
Oct 8, 2009	31 km SSW of Alcova, Wyoming	M3.4	72 km	5 km
Jun 3, 2023	8 km SSE of Saratoga, Wyoming	M3.3	75 km	12 km
May 4, 2015	5 km SSW of Encampment, Wyoming	M3.3	96 km	5 km
Mar 29, 2022	10 km NNW of Ryan Park, Wyoming	M3.3	63 km	5 km
Jan 19, 2022	8 km ESE of Saratoga, Wyoming	M3.3	67 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 6, 2018	EF3	65 km	11.3 mi	0
Jun 27, 1955	EF3	98 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 2018	EF2	73 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 7, 2012	EF2	92 km	20.6 mi	0
Jun 5, 1982	EF2	89 km	7.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1976	EF2	55 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 2020	EF1	52 km	1.2 mi	0
Jul 6, 2019	EF1	54 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 28, 2018	EF1	98 km	1.8 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF1	86 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 1988	EF1	80 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 18, 1986	EF1	100 km	2.0 mi	0
May 5, 1979	EF1	83 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 20, 1977	EF1	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1977	EF1	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 1977	EF1	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 1974	EF1	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 15, 1967	EF1	88 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 15, 1966	EF1	68 km	7.7 mi	0
May 29, 1964	EF1	83 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MULLEN (179,894 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	MULLEN	179,894	89 km
2012	ARAPAHO	100,043	74 km
2018	BRITANIA MOUNTAIN	23,701	78 km
2019	PEDRO MOUNTAIN	21,904	71 km
2018	BADGER CREEK	20,752	94 km
2002	REESE	19,624	73 km
2002	HENSEL	14,439	81 km
2011	SQUAW MTN	14,379	80 km
2020	RR 316	14,274	32 km
2006	JACKSON CANYON	11,686	96 km
2012	SQUIRREL CREEK	10,768	84 km
2012	SHEEP HERDER HILL COMPLEX	10,759	93 km
2012	COW CAMP	8,567	76 km
2012	BEAR MOUNTAIN COMPLEX	8,196	88 km
2006	TRAILER	8,040	83 km
2000	DEADHORSE	6,252	94 km
2012	RUSSELS CAMP	5,811	75 km
2001	LEROY	5,615	80 km
1994	SQUAW MTN.	4,093	81 km
1986	COLLINS PEAK	4,078	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	26°F (-4°C)	0.6 in
March	32°F (0°C)	0.7 in
April	40°F (4°C)	1.3 in
May	49°F (10°C)	1.4 in	Wettest
June	59°F (15°C)	1.3 in
July	67°F (19°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	0.9 in
September	55°F (13°C)	1.0 in
October	44°F (7°C)	0.9 in
November	31°F (-0°C)	0.7 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	0.6 in

Medicine Bow has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 21°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.4") and January the driest (0.6").

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