Hail is the standout weather threat at Fort Laramie National Historic Site, with 10 recorded hail events in Goshen County — more than any other hazard type logged in the area. Thunderstorm wind followed closely with 7 events, and the combination of these two means summer storms here can turn fast and punishing, with little natural shelter on the open high-plains terrain surrounding the site.
When storms build — and they build quickly on the Wyoming plains — get your vehicle positioned as the primary hail shield and move people inside it immediately; tent fabric offers almost no protection from large hail. Pack a NOAA weather radio or download the NWS app before you arrive, since cell service can be spotty this far into Goshen County. If flash flood watches post, avoid the low-lying areas near the North Platte River, which accounts for both flood events recorded in the data.
Top recorded hazards in Goshen County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Hail 10
- Thunderstorm Wind 7
- Flash Flood 2
- Tornado 2
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About Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Originally established as a private fur trading fort in 1834, Fort Laramie evolved into the largest and best-known military post on the Northern Plains before its abandonment in 1890. Nicknamed the “Grand Old Post,” Fort Laramie witnessed the entire sweeping saga of America’s western expansion and Indian resistance to encroachment on their territories.
Weather
Fort Laramie summer days can be quite hot (over 100F/37C), average highs are in the 80s and 90s (30-35C) with cool nights and low humidity. Winters are often bitterly cold and windy with subzero wind chills. The region is semi-arid with a distinct winter dry season. About 70% of annual precipitation falls as thunderstorms during the spring and early summer. Breezy days are common year-round and peak in the winter when wind speeds can approach hurricane-strength.