Record-Breaking Warmth Defines 2025-2026 Meteorological Winter in Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming, experienced its warmest meteorological winter on record, spanning from December 2025 to February 2026, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Billings, Montana. The average temperature for the period reached 33°F (14°C), surpassing the previous record set in the winter of 1991-1992.
Warmest Winter Since 1907
The NWS reports that the 33°F average is 8.2 degrees warmer than normal, marking the warmest winter since record-keeping began in Sheridan County in 1907. Daily high temperature records were broken twice and tied three times during the season.
Record-Breaking Days Above 50°F and 60°F
The Sheridan area too saw an unprecedented number of warm days. A total of 44 days experienced high temperatures of at least 50°F, and 20 days reached or exceeded 60°F. These figures surpass previous records of 39 and 12 days, respectively, established during the winter of 2023-2024 National Weather Service.
Meteorological Factors Contributing to the Warmth
Meteorologist William McKeown-Robbie of the NWS in Billings attributes the unusually warm winter to prevailing westerly airflow patterns. “We’ve been kind of stuck in a westerly flow aloft for most of winter and when you get that flow over the mountains, which descends, it both warms and dries,” McKeown-Robbie explained. “As we had less of that northwesterly flow bringing in that cold air and more of the straight westerly flow, it’s been in general warmer.”
Regional Impact: Buffalo, Wyoming Also Records Warmest Winter
The warmer-than-usual conditions weren’t limited to Sheridan. The NWS office in Riverton reported that Buffalo, Wyoming, also experienced its warmest winter on record, with an average temperature of 34°F. Records for Buffalo have been maintained since 1998 National Weather Service.
Looking Ahead
The unusually warm winter raises questions about the potential impacts of climate change on the region. Continued monitoring of temperature trends and weather patterns will be crucial for understanding long-term shifts and preparing for future conditions.