Lander resident records 70 degrees on a Wednesday in early November

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Lander, Wyoming, the temperature reached 70 degrees. Bill Sniffin, who has lived in Wyoming for more than 50 years, noted that he was wearing short sleeves as he wrote his account of the day's weather. This reading stood in sharp contrast to the freezing conditions often associated with the region's historical winters.

Sniffin moved from Iowa to Wyoming in 1970. His family and friends in Iowa expressed concern about the move, anticipating temperatures of 40 degrees below zero and impassable roads covered in snow for months. Sniffin stated that he has never been as cold in Wyoming as he was in Iowa, citing the lack of wind chill and the frequent sunshine in the state.

The region has experienced severe weather in the past. On Jan. 1, 1979, Jackson, Wyo., recorded a temperature of minus 63 degrees. In Lander, the winter of 1972 to 1973 brought more than 219 inches of snow, which was double the normal annual snowfall of roughly half that amount. Sniffin recalled a specific instance in November when he stood in about 20 inches of snow with temperatures around 20 degrees below zero, wearing a fur hat purchased in Alaska.

Recent winters have shown increased unpredictability. Last winter featured relatively little snow, ice, or extended cold weather in Lander. Sniffin spent much of that winter in Dallas, Texas, and observed that the weather there seemed cooler than in Lander. He described the current October and November as having beautiful days and comfortable temperatures, with very little of the harsh weather that previously characterized the season.

Sniffin detailed the temperature fluctuations on Nov. 11. Early in the day, the temperature was 37 degrees. By the time he left a store, it had risen to 46 degrees. Upon returning home, the temperature was 57 degrees. By noon, it reached 61 degrees and continued to warm. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and there was no wind.

Wyoming weather is characterized by variety. A cold morning can transition into a sunny afternoon, and snowstorms can be followed by days of clear skies. Sniffin noted that while winter is not over until it is over, the current conditions allow residents to enjoy the outdoors. He mentioned the blue skies, mountain scenery, and wildlife moving through the sagebrush as elements he continues to value in the state.

Sniffin acknowledged that while he is not upset by mild winters, the weather can change rapidly. He observed that his relatives in Iowa are still convinced that he is freezing to death in Wyoming. The resident of Lander said he has earned the right to appreciate easier weather at his age.