A wise newspaper editor once said that in Wyoming, there's no such thing as "normal" weather.

It is possible to look at historical data and determine average temperatures, precipitation and the like, but "normal" isn't the best term for those averages. That's because there can be significant variations in weather at certain points in the season from year to year.

A good example was the first half of June, which saw abundant moisture and cool temperatures across most of Wyoming. While acknowledging that it was cool and wet, experts pointed out that the weather wasn't beyond what one might expect in Wyoming when considered from a historical perspective. Our view of what's "normal" has been distorted by close to a decade of drought.

Regardless, Wyomingites should be delighted at what the moisture, in both winter and spring, has done for the state. In addition to painting the rangelands in beautiful shades of green, with plenty of colorful wildflowers scattered across the landscape, the weather has provided badly needed relief for our reservoirs. Most are full, or close to it. Early-season irrigation demand has been reduced, and the outlook is good for water supplies through the summer.

For seemingly the first time in recent memory, the Bureau of Land Management says the fire danger is low to moderate across the state, although a dry, warm summer certainly could turn the relatively lush carpet of grasses into a tinderbox late in the season. Keep in mind that low to moderate fire danger doesn't justify carelessness with fire or fireworks.

More than one person has pointed to the recent cool weather as proof that global warming is a hoax. While it may be tempting to make such a declaration, scientists remind us that climate change is about long-term trends, and it would be a mistake to conclude that a few weeks, or even a few months, of cool weather is proof of anything.

The fact of the matter, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is that average temperatures have increased throughout the Great Plains in the last 30 years or so. The largest changes have occurred in winter months in the northern part of the region, including Wyoming.

The federal report projects the warming will continue throughout this century. Along with that, the climate is expected to get wetter here, particularly in winter and spring. But projected increases in precipitation aren't likely to be sufficient to offset decreasing soil moisture and water availability due to rising temperatures and aquifer depletion.

What does that mean for Wyoming? The report says that while warmer temperatures may make it possible to grow warmer-climate crops, the change will also allow pests that historically have been unable to survive here to spread. Milder winters and earlier springs also will encourage greater numbers and earlier emergence of insects. While exotic invaders may find more hospitable conditions, some of our native species may struggle.

Public policy may have to adjust to the changes. In some cases, it's already happening. For example, consider the outbreak of pine beetles in our forests, and the response of state and federal agencies to the infestation.

We'll count on scientists in the public and private sectors to keep us abreast of changes in clim .

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Our view

Recent moisture has brought welcome relief to Wyoming.

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Editorial Board

Nathan Bekke, publisher

Chad Baldwin, editor

Kerry Drake, opinion editor

Sally Ann Shurmur, community news editor

Ron Gullberg, managing editor