How late is too late in the year for driving..? (Cheyenne: evaporative, averages)

[GEORGIAINMT]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

I don't know why everybody is so afraid of the weather up here. It's not as bad as people make it out to be.

Sure, we've all got caught in a blizzard. But we don't have 365 of them each year. The way some people talk, it's a miracle they're still alive because they might need grocery's and won't be able to get any.

For several years in a row, we haven't had any snow to push the Elk off the top of the mountain.

I agree with Elkhunter. Living in Wyoming all my life except for 13 year in Montana (about the same thing!) I've never really what I'd say "worried" about the weather. Just listen to road reports, go slow, and watch out for the other guy. Some people think they can drive like the roads are dry when they can be very treacherous. Just because one has a 4x4 doesn't mean he is invincible! I can't remember ever not going somewhere I HAD to go because of weather. There were times I chose to skip going somewhere or wait out a storm, but I don't remember that happening much either. If you come here right after Labor Day it just might be like hot summer. There have been many early school year days that we have roasted in the classroom. So things are just as likely to be hot as they are cold!

[WyoMama]

I've NEVER ever not gone where I wanted at any time fo the year but I've driven in Wyo like weather (and worse - more ice in the Great Lake area, right?) all my life. But I do make sure I have the minimum things needed to be safe should I get hung up somewhere & a cell phone prob'ly ain't gonna do you any good at all. Not everybody has our level of experience on the winter roads (obviously - note what you said how some ppl think you can drive the same on dry or packed roads) & it IS the other person you have to be aware of constantly. It isn't my driving that I worry about.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by GEORGIAINMT

I agree with Elkhunter. Living in Wyoming all my life except for 13 year in Montana (about the same thing!) I've never really what I'd say "worried" about the weather. Just listen to road reports, go slow, and watch out for the other guy. Some people think they can drive like the roads are dry when they can be very treacherous. Just because one has a 4x4 doesn't mean he is invincible! I can't remember ever not going somewhere I HAD to go because of weather. There were times I chose to skip going somewhere or wait out a storm, but I don't remember that happening much either. If you come here right after Labor Day it just might be like hot summer. There have been many early school year days that we have roasted in the classroom. So things are just as likely to be hot as they are cold!

And therein lies the problem! I'm more worried about what other drivers will do than I am just driving in snow, ice and rain myself.

HOT in September?? I notice that many homes do not have any AC at all. I've looked at several in Cheyenne online, and a lot of new construction has AC, but most existing don't seem to.

My packets for Cheyenne, Laramie, Sheridan and Cody have all arrived in the mail....

[WyoMama]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

And therein lies the problem! I'm more worried about what other drivers will do than I am just driving in snow, ice and rain myself.

HOT in September?? I notice that many homes do not have any AC at all. I've looked at several in Cheyenne online, and a lot of new construction has AC, but most existing don't seem to.

My packets for Cheyenne, Laramie, Sheridan and Cody have all arrived in the mail....

More & more new homes are having central air put in but you really don't need it for long during the year & most of us (who don't have central) feel it only necessary to cool rooms that we are currently using, like bedrooms & living rooms. Why pay for cooling the whole house - esp. the really big houses who are putting them in??? But not my bill...THANK GOD!!! Yeah - it gets hot for a few weeks MOST years. Then there was 1992 when in Cody it only hit 80 once or twice total in the summer. And in about 2004 it overed 100 here for about 4-5 weeks. Was horrible. We finally (after 17 yr of having no window units) we bought 3. So again, as mentioned in previous threads, there is no NORMAL weather pattern for pretty much ANY of Wyo! And you will find that to be true all along the front range clear thru Colo & MT is the same way.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

There's a difference between warning somebody and scaring the crap out of them so they won't come visit. These people are going to think that the North Pole X 10 and you've now encountered Wyoming.

It's just not as bad as people are making it out to be.

... very true. It is probably more likely you will have very nice weather in the fall. I have done all of WYO in Sept and Oct, and most often and most recently without snow. (or one nasty day followed by sunshine)

You might have 2 weeks of dry 70F days in Sept.

come, be flexible, watch the weather, enjoy the season

If it looks decent, then head out and enjoy. The new forecasting data and methods has generally improved your chances of knowing what the weather will be 10-14 days out. (but stuff happens, so be prepared)

Be sure to take a day to enjoy the Snowy Range, (west of Laramie) and museums in Carbon County (especially Encampment) + a dip at Saratoga Hot Springs. And Veedauwoo of course... between Cheyenne and Laramie. I would plan the majority of time in Laramie. Cheyenne is rather limited in scenery and fall vacation activities.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by WyoMama

More & more new homes are having central air put in but you really don't need it for long during the year & most of us (who don't have central) feel it only necessary to cool rooms that we are currently using, like bedrooms & living rooms. Why pay for cooling the whole house - esp. the really big houses who are putting them in??? But not my bill...THANK GOD!!! Yeah - it gets hot for a few weeks MOST years. Then there was 1992 when in Cody it only hit 80 once or twice total in the summer. And in about 2004 it overed 100 here for about 4-5 weeks. Was horrible. We finally (after 17 yr of having no window units) we bought 3. So again, as mentioned in previous threads, there is no NORMAL weather pattern for pretty much ANY of Wyo! And you will find that to be true all along the front range clear thru Colo & MT is the same way.

I am really, really envious of the summer temperatures. Hot for a few weeks? That sounds wonderful.

I can't wait to see it, even if I have to wait until next year. I hope it's this coming September, though.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by janb

... very true. It is probably more likely you will have very nice weather in the fall. I have done all of WYO in Sept and Oct, and most often and most recently without snow. (or one nasty day followed by sunshine)

You might have 2 weeks of dry 70F days in Sept.

come, be flexible, watch the weather, enjoy the season

If it looks decent, then head out and enjoy. The new forecasting data and methods has generally improved your chances of knowing what the weather will be 10-14 days out. (but stuff happens, so be prepared)

Be sure to take a day to enjoy the Snowy Range, (west of Laramie) and museums in Carbon County (especially Encampment) + a dip at Saratoga Hot Springs. And Veedauwoo of course... between Cheyenne and Laramie. I would plan the majority of time in Laramie. Cheyenne is rather limited in scenery and fall vacation activities.

Thanks for the tips...I've been going over my packets from the C of Cs, too...I hadn't even thought about making that entire loop.

[StealthRabbit]

Oh, do make the loop!! it is only a few hrs of driving, and you can do the less pretty stuff, or repeat routes at night if necessary.

I did the Snowy Range, Veedauwoo loop from Ft Collins last week in ~6 hrs driving + fun stops.

If you are into photography go to Veedauwoo for sunrise or sunset, the shadows / colors are great!

You can do the loop through Medicine Bow / Casper very easily in a day also. But give yourself time to stop and enjoy the interesting stuff. Wyoming = surprises (beauty, people, weather, activities) Keep your eyes peeled and ears open.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

I am really, really envious of the summer temperatures. Hot for a few weeks? That sounds wonderful.

I can't wait to see it, even if I have to wait until next year. I hope it's this coming September, though.

According to the records of the Wyoming State Climatologist, Cheyenne averages 8 days per year where the temperature exceeds 90° F. Based on my years there, that is pretty accurate. Most summer days, the high was in the high 70's to low 80's. Summer temperatures were great. I didn't have air conditioning or evaporative cooling there, and didn't need it. Now, the wind, epecially in winter and spring, was another matter.

Laramie averages 2 days per year over 90° F.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by janb

Oh, do make the loop!! it is only a few hrs of driving, and you can do the less pretty stuff, or repeat routes at night if necessary.

I did the Snowy Range, Veedauwoo loop from Ft Collins last week in ~6 hrs driving + fun stops.

If you are into photography go to Veedauwoo for sunrise or sunset, the shadows / colors are great!

You can do the loop through Medicine Bow / Casper very easily in a day also. But give yourself time to stop and enjoy the interesting stuff. Wyoming = surprises (beauty, people, weather, activities) Keep your eyes peeled and ears open.

Now you make me wish I were already there, LOL!!