Most of Wyoming continues to be in the grip of a seven-year drought, with no real signs of relief.

That's the message from Steve Gray, the new state climatologist. He succeeded Jan Curtis in that position in June. Gray has a doctorate in paleoclimatology from the University of Wyoming, and most recently worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in Arizona, where he studied tree rings for their evidence about past climate changes and droughts.

For the coming winter, there's no real clear-cut sign of above- or below-average conditions for the state as a whole, Gray said. He's looking at a weak El Niño in the Pacific, meaning it is not strong enough to cause any definite change over the coming months. Smaller areas, such as the far northwest corner in Yellowstone National Park, have a slightly higher-than-average chance of a dry winter. A strong El Niño would mean much warmer Pacific waters that have produced drought in the western and northwestern United States.

"We're not talking about a tremendous dryness," he said. In the southeast corner of the state -- the Sierra Madres and Medicine Bow mountains -- there's a 10 to 15 percent chance of better moisture, Gray said.

Gray said he expects this winter will be a bit warmer. If that warming trend continues into the spring and early summer, there could be serious consequences, with earlier runoff and a lack of streamflow in late summer and early fall.

For the complete story read Tuesday's Casper Star-Tribune.