July Climate Review and August Preview

July of 2018 started out very warm and dry across south central and southeast Colorado. The southwest monsoon became active across the area into the middle of the month and persisted through the end of the month, bringing widespread and beneficial precipitation to much of southeast Colorado. However, much of western Colorado missed out on this widespread precipitation. For the month of July as a whole, at and above seasonal temperatures were experienced across the area, with at and below normal precipitation recorded across the western half of the state, and at to well above normal precipitation recorded across the eastern half of the state.

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of July was 67.1 degrees. This is 2.5 degrees above normal and makes July of 2018 tied with July of 1957 as 4th warmest July on record. This, however, remains well below the warmest July average temperature of 68.1 degrees set in 2011. Alamosa recorded 1.05 inches of precipitation through the month of July, which is 0.08 inches above normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of July was 72.5 degrees, which is 1.6 degrees above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 4.46 inches of precipitation through out the month of July, which is 1.62 inches above normal. Of note, the 4.46 inches of precipitation only ranks as the 20th wettest July on record in Colorado Springs, with the record being 6.59 inches recorded in July 1930.

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of July was 78.9 degrees, which 3.1 degrees above normal. This makes July of 2018 the 14th warmest July on record, though remains well below the record July average temperatures of 81.2 degrees, set in 2003. Pueblo recorded 1.78 inches of precipitation through the month of July, which is 0.28 inches below normal. Of note Pueblo saw 8 days in which the high temperature topped out at or above the century mark, which brings the 2018 total of 100+ degree days to 18. The record number of 100+ degree days in Pueblo is 28, set in 2012 and 2003.

Looking ahead into August, in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 81 degrees and 48 degrees on August 1st, cool to 77 degrees and 43 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of August in Alamosa is 62.7 degrees. Alamosa averages 1.27 inches of precipitation through out the month of August. On average, August is the wettest month of the year in Alamosa.

In Colorado Springs, the average high temperature and low temperature of 84 degrees and 57 degrees on August 1st, cool to 80 degrees and 53 degrees by the end of the month.The average temperature for the month of August in Colorado Springs is 68.7 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 3.34 inches of precipitation through out the month of August. On average, August is the wettest month of the year in Colorado Springs.

In Pueblo, the average high temperature and low temperature of 91 degrees and 59 degrees on August 1st, cool to 87 degrees and 54 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of August in Pueblo is 73.4 degrees. Pueblo averages 2.32 inches of precipitation through out the month of July. On average, August is the wettest month of the year in Pueblo.

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the month of August, which gives equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures and precipitation across the area, save for a slight nod to above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation across the area, southwestern portions of the state.