November Climate Review and December Preview

November of 2018 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.

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of November was 28.2 degrees, which is 1.3 degrees below normal. Alamosa recorded 0.16 inches of precipitation through the month of November, which is 0.26 inches below normal. Alamosa recorded 2.7 inches of snow through out the month of November, which is 1.0 inches below normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of November was 37.4 degrees, which is 0.7 degrees below normal. Colorado Springs recorded 0.30 inches of precipitation through out the month of November, which is 0.10 inches below normal. Colorado Springs recorded 2.8 inches of snow through out the month of November, which is 1.9 inches below normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of November was 38.8 degrees, which is 0.5 degrees below normal. Pueblo recorded 0.33 inches of precipitation through out the month of November, which is 0.14 inches below normal. Pueblo recorded 4.2 inches of snow through out the month of November, which is 0.2 inches below normal.

Looking ahead into December, in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 39 degrees and 5 degrees on December 1st, cool to 34 degrees and -2 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of December in Alamosa is 17.9 degrees. Alamosa averages 0.35 inches of precipitation and 4.5 inches of snow through out the month of December.

In Colorado Springs, the average high temperature of 44 degrees on December 1st cools to 41 degrees by December 15th, before warming back to 43 degrees by the end of the month. The average low temperature of 20 degrees on December 1st cools to 17 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of December in Colorado Springs is 29.8 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 0.34 inches of precipitation and 5.7 inches of snow through out the month of December. On average, December is the coldest month of the year in Colorado Springs.

In Pueblo, the average high temperature of 49 degrees on December 1st cools to 45 degrees by December 14th, before warming back to 46 degrees by the end of the month. The average low temperature of 17 degrees on December 1st cools to 13 degrees by December 21st, before warming back to 14 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of December in Pueblo is 30.1 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.38 inches of precipitation and 5.5 inches of snow through out the month of December. On average, December is the coldest month of the year in Pueblo.

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the month of December, which gives equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures and precipitation across most of South Central and Southeast Colorado, save for a slight tilt to above normal temperatures across the far Southeast Plains, as well as a slight tilt to above normal precipitation across Southwest Colorado.