Cheyenne Climate

"To be interested in the changing seasons
is a happier state of mind
than to be hopelessly
in love with spring. "
-George Santayana

 Cheyenne Climate

"Because we have an average daily average wind speed of 13 mph, the highest incidence of hail in the nation, a 6,000 ft. elevation, cool summers and little winter snow cover, the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens exists in one of the more challenging garden climates in the nation"

                                                                                               -Director, Shane Smith

About the Climate in Cheyenne Wyoming
Cheyenne is one of the more difficult climates for gardening in the lower 48. Nonetheless, the residents of Cheyenne and the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens persevere and create beautiful yards and gardens.

Elevation/Location: Cheyenne sits at an elevation of 6,143 feet (1872 meters) in southeast corner of Wyoming. It is on the high plains adjacent to the front range of the Rocky Mountains.

Temperatures: The higher elevation permits rapid incoming and outgoing radiation. The daily temperature swings can be 30 degrees or more. Winter low temperatures can reach down to -30 degrees F. Cheyenne has never been above 100 degrees F. and rarely has summer night low temperatures of above 60 degrees.  

Wind: Cheyenne is the 4th windiest city in the lower 48 with an average of 13 mph. What does that mean? To average 13 mph requires that for every calm day, there must be a day of 26 mph to maintain the average. 

Growing Season: The average growing season is around 120 days, but with the cool high altitude nights, it is difficult to grow tomatoes to a ripe stage. One year in five the temperature is expected to drop to 32 F. or lower after May 30. Also, one year In five, the temperature is expected to drop to 32 or lower before September 15. Freezing temperatures have occurred as late in the spring as June 16, and as early in the fall as August 25.

Precipitation: Cheyenne has a total average yearly precipitation of only 13.3 inches. There is little in the way of winter snow cover. Very seldom is the relative humidity above 30 percent

Hail: Cheyenne  has the nation's highest incidence of hailstorms, averaging 11 hailstorms per year! 

Sunny days: One bright spot is that fact that it is sunny 66% of the time year-round.

Sum it up?