Weather & Climate in Van Tassell, WY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Van Tassell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 56.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 4,748 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.1°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,748 ft (1,447 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 14/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.6643°N, 104.0913°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Goshen County County |
| Nearest Airport | Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 60 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 28.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 29.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jan 28, 1990 | 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M4.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Aug 29, 2004 | 16 km NNW of Douglas, Wyoming | M3.8 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jul 23, 1993 | 29 km WNW of Esterbrook, Wyoming | M3.7 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 1993 | 41 km W of Esterbrook, Wyoming | M3.7 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 1996 | 34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.7 | 45 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Feb 15, 2004 | 19 km N of Douglas, Wyoming | M3.5 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Mar 26, 2021 | 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.4 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 1993 | 14 km SW of Esterbrook, Wyoming | M3.2 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 1998 | 23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska | M3.1 | 89 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.1 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Nov 2, 1992 | 5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming | M3.0 | 26 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2018 | 7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming | M3.0 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 1993 | 25 km N of Douglas, Wyoming | M3.0 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2011 | 22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming | M2.9 | 22 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
281 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 61 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 27, 1955 | EF4 | 85 km | 26.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 20, 1978 | EF3 | 56 km | 53.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1955 | EF3 | 80 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2023 | EF2 | 100 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2020 | EF2 | 73 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2019 | EF2 | 52 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2017 | EF2 | 44 km | 25.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2012 | EF2 | 53 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1998 | EF2 | 82 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1993 | EF2 | 91 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1984 | EF2 | 60 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1983 | EF2 | 57 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1983 | EF2 | 91 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1982 | EF2 | 55 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1982 | EF2 | 64 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1982 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1978 | EF2 | 41 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1978 | EF2 | 62 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1976 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1969 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WEST ASH (55,228 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | WEST ASH | 55,228 | 75 km |
| 1989 | FT.ROBINSON | 46,887 | 42 km |
| 2006 | SIOUX COUNTY COMPLEX | 39,567 | 24 km |
| 2012 | DOUTHIT | 29,036 | 44 km |
| 2024 | PLEASANT VALLEY | 28,249 | 60 km |
| 2006 | DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX | 27,923 | 85 km |
| 2006 | OLD CHICAGO | 25,218 | 61 km |
| 1985 | FLINT HILLS | 21,062 | 84 km |
| 2016 | SIMMONS | 20,950 | 41 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,279 | 44 km |
| 2016 | INDIAN CANYON | 13,791 | 69 km |
| 2012 | SAWMILL CANYON | 13,438 | 68 km |
| 2006 | TWENTY MILE | 11,732 | 80 km |
| 2000 | WARBONNET | 11,504 | 32 km |
| 2001 | WEST HELL CANYON | 11,097 | 86 km |
| 2007 | ALABAUGH | 10,650 | 89 km |
| 2011 | THOMPSON | 10,519 | 88 km |
| 1999 | WALKER | 10,022 | 92 km |
| 2010 | WILLOW CREEK | 9,706 | 95 km |
| 2012 | WHITE DRAW | 9,297 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Van Tassell has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 25°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.4").