October Climate Review and November Preview

October of 2018 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.

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of October was 43.9 degrees, which is 0.8 degrees above normal. Alamosa recorded 1.16 inches of precipitation through the month of October, which is 0.48 inches above normal. Alamosa recorded 5.5 inches of snow through out the month of October, which is 3.4 inches above normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of October was 48.1 degrees, which is 1.3 degrees below normal. Colorado Springs recorded 1.61 inches of precipitation through out the month of October. This is 0.79 inches above normal and makes October of 2018 the 12th wettest October on record. This, however, remains well below the wettest October on record, 1984, when 5.01 inches of precipitation fell in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs recorded 5.3 inches of snow through out the month of October, which is 2.4 inches above normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of October was 51.4 degrees, which is 0.4 degrees below normal. Pueblo recorded 1.54 inches of precipitation through out the month of October. This is 0.82 inches above normal and makes October of 2018 the 18th wettest October on record. This, however, remains well below the wettest October on record, 1957, when 4.91 inches of precipitation was recorded in Pueblo. Pueblo recorded 0.4 inches of snow through out the month of October, which is 0.9 inches below normal.

Looking ahead into November, in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 55 degrees and 19 degrees on November 1st, cool to 39 degrees and 5 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of November in Alamosa is 29.5 degrees. Alamosa averages 0.42 inches of precipitation and 3.7 inches of snow through out the month of November.

In Colorado Springs, the average high temperature and low temperature of 58 degrees and 31 degrees on November 1st, cool to 44 degrees and 20 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of November in Colorado Springs is 38.1 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 0.40 inches of precipitation and 4.7 inches of snow through out the month of November.

In Pueblo, the average high temperature and low temperature of 63 degrees and 28 degrees on November 1st, cool to 49 degrees and 17 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of November in Pueblo is 39.3 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.47 inches of precipitation and 4.4 inches of snow through out the month of November.

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the month of November, which gives better chances of above normal temperatures and a slight tilt for above normal precipitation across the state, save for equal chances of above, below and near normal precipitation across the northern half of Colorado.