December Climate Review and January Preview

December of 2018 was a relatively warm and dry month across South Central and Southeast Colorado, save for two stronger storm systems moving across the Rockies through out the last week of the month, bringing some beneficial moisture and cold temperatures to the area. For the month of December as a whole, near to slightly above normal temperatures and generally below normal precipitation were experienced across South Central Colorado and Southeast Colorado, save for at or above normal precipitation across portions of the Southeast Plains.

The following graphics depict monthly temperature and precipitation departures from normal across the state for the past month of December.

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of December was 20.1 degrees, which is 2.2 degrees above normal. Alamosa recorded 0.32 inches of precipitation through the month of December, which is 0.03 inches below normal. Alamosa recorded 5.7 inches of snow through out the month of December, which is 1.2 inches above normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of December was 31.1 degrees, which is 1.3 degrees above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 0.09 inches of precipitation through out the month of December, which is 0.25 inches below normal. Colorado Springs recorded 1.3 inches of snow through out the month of December, which is 4.4 inches below normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of December was 32.2 degrees, which is 2.0 degrees above normal. Pueblo recorded 0.09 inches of precipitation through out the month of December, which is 0.29 inches below normal. Pueblo recorded 1.7 inches of snow through out the month of December, which is 3.8 inches below normal.

Looking ahead into January, in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 34 degrees and -2 degrees on January 1st, warm to 36 degrees and 0 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of January in Alamosa is 16.3 degrees. Alamosa averages 0.26 inches of precipitation and 4 inches of snow through out the month of January. On average, January is the coldest month, and tied with February as the driest month of the year in Alamosa.

In Colorado Springs, the average high temperature through out the month is 43 degrees, while the average low temperature of 17 degrees on January 1st warms to 18 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of January in Colorado Springs is 30.5 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 0.32 inches of precipitation and 5.6 inches of snow through out the month of January. On average, January is the driest month of the year in Colorado Springs.

In Pueblo, the average high temperature and low temperature of 46 degrees and 14 degrees on January 1st, warm to 48 degrees and 15 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of January in Pueblo is 30.5 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.35 inches of precipitation and 6.5 inches of snow through out the month of January. On average, January is the snowiest month of the year in Pueblo.

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the month of January, which gives equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures and precipitation across most of South Central and Southeast Colorado.