January Weather Review

January of 2025 was the polar opposite of December of 2024 across most of south central and southeast Colorado, with well below normal temperatures, save for southwestern Colorado into the San Luis Valley, which experienced temperatures at to slightly above January norms. Eastern Colorado saw several cold air outbreaks throughout the month, culminating in the late January 17th through January 21st timeframe, when a true Arctic airmass moved across Colorado. In true Colorado fashion, the end of the Arctic outbreak saw temperatures in both Colorado Springs (61F) and Pueblo (68F) warm over 60 degrees in less than 24 hours!  For January as a whole, above to well above normal temperatures and below to well below normal precipitation was experienced across south central and southeast Colorado.

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of January was 17.9 degrees. This is 1.1 degrees above normal and makes January of 2025 the 41st warmest January on record. This remains below the warmest January of 2003, when the average monthly temperature was 26.4 degrees.  The average January maximum temperature in Alamosa was 36.7 degrees, which is 1.9 degrees above normal. The average January minimum temperature in Alamosa was -1.0 degrees, which is 0.1 degrees above normal.  Alamosa recorded 0.24 inches of precipitation through the month of January, which is 0.08 inches below normal. Alamosa recorded 5.0 inches of snow in January, which is 0.5.inches above normal.  (ALS POR: 1932-2024)    

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of January was 24.5 degrees. This is 7.2 degrees below normal and makes January of 2025, tied with January of 2007 as the 10th coldest January on record in Colorado Springs. This remains above the coldest January of 1979, when the average monthly temperature was 16.9 degrees. The average January maximum temperature in Colorado Springs was 36.4 degrees, which is 8.6 degrees below normal. The average January minimum temperature in Colorado Springs was 12.6 degrees, which is 5.9 degrees below normal. Colorado Springs recorded 0.64 inches of precipitation through the month of January. This is 0.35 inches above normal, and makes January of 2025 the 11th wettest January on record, though remaining behind the wettest January of 1987, when 1.17 inches of precipitation was recorded. Colorado Springs recorded 10.4 inches of snow in January. This is 5.5 inches above normal and makes January of 2025 the 7th snowiest January on record. This remains well behind the snowiest January of 1987, when 28.7 inches of snow was recorded.  Colorado Springs set a daily record low temperature and a daily record low maximum temperature during and Arctic intrusion January 17th-21st.  At the end of this Arctic outbreak, the temperature warmed 61 degrees in less than 24 hours, with a morning low temperature of -14F on January 21st, which warmed to 47F that afternoon. (COS POR: 1894-2024)      

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of January was 24.1 degrees. This is 7.8 degrees below normal and makes January of 2025 the 13th coldest January on record. This remains well behind the coldest January of 1979, when the average monthly temperature was 16.1 degrees. The average January maximum temperature in Pueblo was 38.9 degrees, which is 9.5 degrees below normal. The average January minimum temperature in Pueblo was 9.4 degrees, which is 6.0 degrees below normal. Pueblo recorded 0.87 inches of precipitation through the month of January. This is 0.58 inches above normal and makes January of 2025 the 6th wettest January on record in Pueblo, well behind the wettest January of 1948, when 1.45 inches of precipitation was recorded. Pueblo recorded 12.5 inches of snow in January. This is 7.6 inches above normal and makes January of 2025 the 10th snowiest on record. This remains below the snowiest January of 1948, when 20.0 inches of snow was recorded in Pueblo. Pueblo set 2 daily record low temperatures during and Arctic intrusion January 17th-21st.  At the end of this Arctic outbreak, the temperature warmed 68 degrees in less than 24 hours, with a morning low temperature of -19F on January 21st, which warmed to 49F that afternoon.  (PUB POR: 1888-2024)  

Looking ahead into February in Alamosa, the average high and low temperatures of 37 degrees and 2 degrees on February 1st, warm to 47 degrees and 13 degrees by the end of the month.  The average temperature for the month of February in Alamosa is 24.3 degrees.  Alamosa averages 0.28 inches of precipitation and 4.1 inches of snow through the month of February. On average, February is the driest month of the year in Alamosa.          

In Colorado Springs, the average high and low temperatures of 45 degrees and 19 degrees on February 1st, warm to 50 degrees and 23 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of February in Colorado Springs is 33.4 degrees.  Colorado Springs averages 0.32 inches of precipitation and 4.6 inches of snow through the month of February.  

In Pueblo, the average high and low temperatures of 49 degrees and 17 degrees on February 1st, warm to 55 degrees and 22 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of February in Pueblo is 35.1 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.32 inches of precipitation and 4.7 inches of snow through the month of February.  

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for February of 2025, which leans to equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures and precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado, save for a slight nod to above normal temperatures across the southern Tier.