Weston County
Population 6,840 (2025) 2,398 sq mi
Large wildfires have burned 136,120 acres of Weston County since 1984, 13th most of 23 counties in Wyoming; the largest was the Oil Creek Fire in 2012.
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths since 195028
- Wildfire burn scars since 198420
At a glance
The record for Weston County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Acres burned since 1984
136,120
13th of 23 in Wyoming
20 large fires; the largest was Oil Creek, 2012
DetailsStrongest tornado
F2
May 28, 1953, 38.2 mile path
Tornadoes
About one every 2.7 years since 1950, none rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
May 28, 1953
F2, 38.2 mile path
433 yards wide.
Most recent
Friday, June 23, 2023
EF0, 6.0 mile path
3 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Jun 23, 2023 | EF0 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2019 | EF0 | 1.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 3, 2019 | EF0 | 4.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2010 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2008 | EF1 | 7.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2008 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 14, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 14, 2004 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2001 | F1 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2001 | F1 | 27.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2001 | F0 | 0.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1999 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 20, 1998 | F0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 12, 1991 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 20, 1990 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1988 | F0 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| May 6, 1988 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1966 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1964 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1963 | F1 | 7.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1962 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1958 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1958 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 28, 1953 | F2 | 38.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1950 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Weston County: 0.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
No tropical storm or hurricane has tracked within 100 miles since records began in 1851.
Wildfire and smoke
136,120 acres burned in 20 large fires since 1984, equal to 8.9% of the land.
Largest
June 29, 2012
Oil Creek Fire, 63,138 acres
63,182 acres inside Weston County.
Most recent
August 22, 2024
Goodson Fire
1,019 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Goodson | 2024 | 1,018 | 1,019 |
| Alkali | 2024 | 1,355 | 1,355 |
| Wildcat Creek | 2024 | 6,946 | 18,735 |
| Cellers | 2021 | 3,577 | 3,577 |
| Buck Draw | 2016 | 1,356 | 1,416 |
| Butterfield | 2012 | 2,488 | 2,486 |
| Oil Creek | 2012 | 63,182 | 63,138 |
| Skull Creek Complex | 2012 | 1,694 | 1,695 |
| Barrel | 2011 | 893 | 3,427 |
| Whoopup | 2011 | 6,136 | 7,372 |
| 35 Mile Marker | 2010 | 5,054 | 5,048 |
| Wade Hill | 2007 | 2,574 | 2,572 |
| Cummings | 2006 | 4,454 | 4,453 |
| Red Point | 2003 | 7,414 | 18,046 |
| Elk Mountain 2 | 2001 | 10,775 | 13,748 |
| Dewey 2 | 1997 | 4,376 | 4,377 |
| Peterson-Elliott | 1994 | 8,321 | 8,316 |
| Dewey 2 | 1991 | 287 | 1,102 |
| Rochelle Hills 2 | 1988 | 2,792 | 8,706 |
| Keeline Ra | 1988 | 1,419 | 2,753 |
- Large fires mapped by the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program since 1984: 1,000 acres or more in the West, 500 or more in the East. Prescribed burns are excluded. Acres here are the part of each perimeter inside this place.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (USGS and U.S. Forest Service), 1984 to 2026.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2021: 70 days
Heavy smoke on 38 days in 2021, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
28.7 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
24 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 27 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
1 federal flood insurance claims since 2005, with $1,174 paid.
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood14
- Flood6
- Heavy Rain1
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 133 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 24 months.
133
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
55
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
August 2026
−7.26, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
24 months
May 1960 to April 1962.
Latest month
September 2026
−6.44, extreme drought
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes and landslides
3 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles since 1900; the largest was magnitude 5.0 in 1984.
0
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
18
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
3
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
1
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
May 29, 1984
37 km W of Gillette, Wyoming; 44.0 miles away, 11.2 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
March 8, 2025
Magnitude 3.6
7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota; 39.6 miles away.
Every earthquake of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles
| Nov 13, 2011 | 4.0 | 45.3 |
| Sep 7, 1984 | 4.9 | 46.7 |
| May 29, 1984 | 5.0 | 44.0 |
- Earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more in the USGS Comprehensive Catalog since 1900. Within 50 miles means the epicentre lies within 50 miles of the county boundary (or inside the county).
- Small earthquakes were under-recorded before the modern seismic networks of the 1970s and are still missed in remote areas, so early decades read low. Magnitudes are as the catalogue reports them and mix scales (moment, local and body-wave).
USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, 1900 to present, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Mapped landslides
358
Landslides mapped, probable or better
0
With a recorded date
1
Source inventory
Mapped by WY WSGS (358).
- Landslides mapped in the USGS compilation of landslide inventories across the United States (version 3.0, 2025), rated probable or better. The compilation joins inventories made by federal and state agencies for different purposes and areas, so the number mapped in a county reflects how closely it has been surveyed as much as how often its slopes fail. An area with few records may simply not have been mapped. Deaths are as recorded in the inventories; a slide listed in two inventories is counted once.
USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0, retrieved October 27, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
914 events in the National Weather Service record, 861 of them since 1996.
222
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
24
Hail, 2 inches or larger
163
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
302
Winter weather events since 1996
0
Heat events since 1996
22
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
June 16, 1977
3.50 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
May 27, 1974
104 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 1 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Oct 3, 2013Blizzard, Wyoming Black Hills$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A historic blizzard pounded northeastern Wyoming with heavy snow and strong winds. Snowfall ranged from six inches to more than two feet with blowing and drifting snow reducing visibility to near zero. Many trees and power poles were downed by the heavy, wet snow and roads were impassible.
- Jul 19, 2010Hail$700,000
National Weather Service narrative
Large hail punctured vinyl siding, broke windows, and damaged automobiles.
- Nov 1, 2000Blizzard, Wyoming Black Hills$578,000
National Weather Service narrative
An intense winter storm brought high winds and heavy, wet snowfall to portions of northeastern Wyoming. In Crook and Weston Counties, snowfall rates were one to two inches an hour. Snowfall totals in the plains were from 4 to 8 inches, while in the Bear Lodge Mountains, totals were from 8 to 24 inches. The Four Corners area in northeastern Weston County reported the most snowfall at 24 inches. High winds sustained up to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph caused blizzard conditions and toppled 300 power poles.5,800 people were without power and almost 15 miles of lines had to be replaced. The city of Moorcroft had over 150 stranded semi-trucks after the interstate was shut down. In…
- May 27, 2013Hail$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
A thunderstorm briefly became severe over Newcastle and produced hail to golf ball size.
- Jul 2, 2011Hail$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
Hail damaged homes and automobiles in Upton.
- Oct 6, 2011Thunderstorm Wind$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
Trees, power lines, fences, and signs were blown down throughout Newcastle. Roof and window damage was reported to buildings and homes.
- Nov 1, 2000Blizzard, Weston$209,000
National Weather Service narrative
An intense winter storm brought high winds and heavy, wet snowfall to portions of northeastern Wyoming. In Crook and Weston Counties, snowfall rates were one to two inches an hour. Snowfall totals in the plains were from 4 to 8 inches, while in the Bear Lodge Mountains, totals were from 8 to 24 inches. The Four Corners area in northeastern Weston County reported the most snowfall at 24 inches. High winds sustained up to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph caused blizzard conditions and toppled 300 power poles.5,800 people were without power and almost 15 miles of lines had to be replaced. The city of Moorcroft had over 150 stranded semi-trucks after the interstate was shut down. In…
- Oct 4, 2005Winter Storm, Wyoming Black Hills$200,000
National Weather Service narrative
A strong low pressure system developed over the Central Rockies and moved through the Northern Plains, bringing heavy snow to much of northeast Wyoming. Precipitation started as rain during the day and changed over to snow late in the afternoon, mixed with freezing rain and sleet. Heavy snow fell during the night and ended in the morning. Snowfall amounts were generally 6 to 12 inches, with locally higher amounts across northern Campbell and Crook Counties. The heavy, wet snow resulted in many downed trees, branches and power lines. This caused numerous power outages and some minor property damage. The 7 inches of snow at Colony tied for the 5th highest daily snowfall for October.…
- May 9, 2011Flash Flood$163,000
National Weather Service narrative
At least four inches of rain fell over eastern Weston County in less than two hours, causing flash flooding in Newcastle. Widespread street flooding damaged cars and left debris throughout the town. Numerous culverts were damaged, sewers were clogged, and basements were flooded.
- Oct 3, 2013Blizzard, Weston$150,000
National Weather Service narrative
A historic blizzard pounded northeastern Wyoming with heavy snow and strong winds. Snowfall ranged from six inches to more than two feet with blowing and drifting snow reducing visibility to near zero. Many trees and power poles were downed by the heavy, wet snow and roads were impassible.
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Newcastle, 7.1 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1906.
- All-time high
- 108°F2 times, most recently Jul 16, 2006
- All-time low
- −37°FJan 17, 1930
- Warmest night
- 79°FJun 27, 1919
- Coldest day
- −17°FFeb 8, 1933
- Wettest day
- 2.76 inMay 10, 2011
- Snowiest day
- 18.0 inApr 19, 2006
- Hottest year
- 2012mean 50.8°F
- Coldest year
- 1912mean 43.6°F
- Wettest year
- 199624.34 in
- Driest year
- 19616.74 in
- Snowiest season
- 78.0 in1911-12
Median first snow
October 29
Earliest: September 6, 1929
Median last snow
April 18
Latest: May 29, 1929
0 of 97 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Newcastle (USC00486660), 4,415 ft elevation, 7.1 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1906 to October 22, 2026; 97.3% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
7 since 1953. The most recent: Covid-19 Pandemic, April 11, 2020.
| Apr 11, 2020 | Biological | DR-4535-WY |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3479-WY |
| Jul 3, 2012 | Fire | FM-2995-WY |
| Jul 22, 2011 | Severe Storm | DR-4007-WY |
| Aug 1, 2001 | Fire | FM-2370-WY |
| Dec 13, 2000 | Severe Storm | DR-1351-WY |
| May 29, 1978 | Flood | DR-557-WY |
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
How this compares
Where Weston County stands among 23 counties in Wyoming and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 28 | 11 / 23 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 0 | — |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 136,120 | 13 / 23 |
| Flood insurance claims | 1 | 19 / 23 |
| Flood insurance paid | $1,174 | 17 / 23 |
| Disaster declarations | 7 | 4 / 23 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 21 | 13 / 23 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 496 | 10 / 23 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 302 | 10 / 23 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $5.5 million | 10 / 23 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 0 | — |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 133 | 22 / 23 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 28.7 | 2 / 23 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 3 | 18 / 23 |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Campbell County | 95 | 0 |
| Converse County | 49 | 0 |
| Crook County | 41 | 0 |
| Custer County SD | 14 | 0 |
| Lawrence County SD | 22 | 0 |
| Niobrara County | 36 | 0 |
| Pennington County SD | 51 | 0 |
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USC00486660.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Landslides USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0 (2025).
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.