Fall of 2018 Climate Review

The start of "Meteorological Fall 2018" (September-October-November) was fairly wet, as some remaining monsoonal moisture combined with a few passing weather disturbances to bring some beneficial precipitation to portions of South Central and Southeast Colorado through the beginning of September. A pattern change through the middle of the month provided dry and very warm weather to the area, with the warm and dry pattern persisting through the end of the month. For the month September as a whole, above to well above normal temperatures and generally below normal precipitation was experienced across South Central and Southeast Colorado, save for spotty areas of at to slightly below normal temperatures and a few pockets of above normal precipitation across the Southeast Plains.

October was a roller coaster ride for temperatures across South Central and Southeast Colorado, as passing weather systems provided some big temperatures swings through out the month. There were record high temperatures set across the area early in the month, along with some record low temperatures set in the middle of October. These weather systems also provided beneficial and much needed moisture across the area, especially across the drought stricken Southern Colorado Mountains. For the month October as a whole, near to slightly below seasonal temperatures were experienced across South Central Colorado, with below to well below normal temperatures across Southeast Colorado. October precipitation was above to well above normal across all of South Central and Southeast Colorado.

November was a cool month across South Central and Southeast Colorado, as a cool northwest flow pattern set up across the region. A few weather systems embedded within the flow moved across the region through out the month, bringing some rain and snow to the area through out the month. For the month of November as a whole, below to well below normal temperatures and at to slightly below normal precipitation were experienced across South Central Colorado and Southeast Colorado, save for above normal precipitation across the Central Mountains and the headwaters of the Arkansas River.

For the Fall of 2018 as a whole, at to slightly above normal temperature and precipitation were experienced across South Central and Southeast Colorado, save for pockets of well above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures, especially across the Southeast Plains. The following graphics indicate seasonal temperature and precipitation departures from normal across the state through out the Fall of 2018.

The preliminary average temperature for the Fall of 2018 in Alamosa was 43.2 F, which is 0.7 degrees above normal. Alamosa recorded 2.34 inches of precipitation throughout the Fall, which is 0.33 inches above normal. Alamosa recorded 8.2 inches of snow through out the Fall, which is 2.4 inches above normal.

(click here for a more detailed Fall of 2018 Climate Summary for Alamosa)

The preliminary average temperature for the Fall of 2018 in Colorado Springs was 50.7 F, which is 1.2 degrees above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 2.48 inches of precipitation through out the Fall, which is 0.07 inches above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 8.1 inches of snow through out the Fall, which is 0.3 inches above normal.

(click here for a more detailed Fall of 2018 Climate Summary in Colorado Springs)

The preliminary average temperature for the Fall of 2018 in Pueblo was 53.3 degrees, which is 1.4 degrees above normal. Pueblo recorded 1.95 inches of precipitation throughout the Fall, which is 0.01 inches below normal. Pueblo recorded 4.6 inches of snow through out the Fall, which is 1.4 inches below normal.

(click here for a more detailed Fall of 2018 Climate Summary in Pueblo)

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the Winter of 2018-19 (December, January and February), which indicates better chances for above normal temperatures and precipitation across all of South Central and Southeast Colorado.