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Weather & Climate in Shell, WY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 311 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 10.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 4,195 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.8°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,195 ft (1,279 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 30/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.5345°N, 107.7845°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Big Horn County County |
| Nearest Airport | Worland Municipal (WRL) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
42 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Aug 22, 2009 | 20 km SSE of Birney, Montana | M4.0 | 125 km | 14 km |
| Nov 3, 2017 | 57 km S of Ten Sleep, Wyoming | M4.0 | 117 km | 17 km |
| Feb 25, 1993 | 31 km N of Arvada, Wyoming | M3.9 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 2021 | 51 km S of Ten Sleep, Wyoming | M3.9 | 112 km | 12 km |
| Feb 13, 2023 | Wyoming | M3.7 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 43 km S of Ten Sleep, Wyoming | M3.6 | 104 km | 17 km |
| Aug 31, 1992 | 34 km WNW of Kaycee, Wyoming | M3.6 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Nov 16, 1993 | 17 km SSE of Ten Sleep, Wyoming | M3.5 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2007 | 7 km ENE of East Thermopolis, Wyoming | M3.5 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Aug 7, 1991 | 31 km NNW of Pavillion, Wyoming | M3.5 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2002 | 7 km W of South Flat, Wyoming | M3.3 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 32 km NW of Kaycee, Wyoming | M3.3 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Oct 31, 2017 | 56 km S of Ten Sleep, Wyoming | M3.2 | 116 km | 15 km |
| Jul 21, 2023 | Eastern Montana | M3.2 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Nov 9, 1999 | 58 km ENE of Shoshoni, Wyoming | M3.1 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Dec 16, 2012 | 40 km W of Owl Creek, Wyoming | M3.1 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 34 km S of Buffalo, Wyoming | M3.0 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Sep 27, 2016 | 43 km WSW of Gillette, Wyoming | M3.0 | 147 km | 14 km |
| Nov 8, 2000 | 40 km ENE of Shoshoni, Wyoming | M3.0 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Feb 13, 1998 | 12 km NE of Hyattville, Wyoming | M3.0 | 31 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
72 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 2, 1985 | EF3 | 35 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | EF2 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | EF2 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2001 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1978 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1978 | EF2 | 18 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1967 | EF2 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1964 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1962 | EF2 | 40 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1962 | EF2 | 49 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1959 | EF2 | 19 km | 9.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 3, 1958 | EF2 | 1 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2019 | EF1 | 69 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2010 | EF1 | 66 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2009 | EF1 | 32 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2001 | EF1 | 22 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1997 | EF1 | 21 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1991 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1986 | EF1 | 94 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EBLACK MTN (53,211 acres, 1996).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1996 | EBLACK MTN | 53,211 | 86 km |
| 2018 | TEREK | 43,872 | 42 km |
| 2020 | NEIBER | 17,594 | 82 km |
| 1988 | LOST | 13,081 | 66 km |
| 2007 | BONE CREEK | 12,776 | 15 km |
| 2021 | CRATER RIDGE | 8,147 | 46 km |
| 2024 | BADGER | 7,891 | 92 km |
| 1996 | WILLOW | 7,723 | 92 km |
| 2001 | THUNDER CH | 7,539 | 74 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO 2 | 7,173 | 78 km |
| 2018 | DENVER JAKE | 6,973 | 83 km |
| 2006 | BIRTHDAY2 | 6,553 | 98 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE HORN II | 5,889 | 50 km |
| 2006 | OWL | 5,541 | 80 km |
| 2012 | GILEAD | 5,374 | 68 km |
| 2002 | RED WAFFLE | 5,060 | 81 km |
| 1996 | NBROKENBAC | 4,921 | 49 km |
| 2005 | BIG HORN | 4,899 | 73 km |
| 2012 | OTTER CREEK-UPPER BEE | 4,786 | 87 km |
| 2007 | LITTLE GOOSE | 4,767 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 56°F (14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.8 in |
Shell has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 20°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.7").