December Weather Review Across Southern Colorado

December of 2019 saw several passing weather systems within a mainly west to northwest flow pattern across the state, bringing periods of cold and snow, along with periods of above to well above seasonal temperatures. For the month of December as a whole, at to above normal temperatures were experienced across southeast Colorado, with generally below normal temperatures across south central Colorado. As for precipitation, generally near normal to slightly above average precipitation was recorded over southeast Colorado, with generally at to above normal precipitation experienced across south central Colorado.

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of December was 16.6 degrees, which is 1.3 degrees below normal. Alamosa recorded 0.51 inches of precipitation through the month of December, which is 0.16 inches above normal. Alamosa recorded 8.6 inches of snow through the month of December, which is 4.1 inches above normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of December was 34.4 degrees, which is 4.6 degrees above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 0.32 inches of precipitation through the month of December, which is 0.02 inches below normal. Colorado Springs recorded 4.6 inches of snow through December, which is 1.1 inches below normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of December was 34.8 degrees, which is 4.7 degrees above normal. Pueblo recorded 0.30 inches of precipitation through December, which is 0.08 inches below normal. Pueblo recorded 3.6 inches of snow through the month of December, which is 1.9 inches below normal.

Looking ahead into January in Alamosa, the average high and low temperature of 34 degrees and -2 degrees on January 1st, warm to 36 degrees and 0 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of January in Alamosa is 16.3 degrees. Alamosa averages 0.26 inches of precipitation and 4.0 inches of snow through the month of January. On average, January is the coldest and driest month of the year in Alamosa.

In Colorado Springs, the average high temperature for the month of January is 43 degrees, while the average low temperature of 17 degrees on January 1st warms to 18 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of January in Colorado Springs is 30.5 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 0.32 inches of precipitation and 5.6 inches of snow through the month of January. On average, January is the driest month of the year in Colorado Springs.

In Pueblo, the average high and low temperature of 46 degrees and 14 degrees on January 1st, warm to 48 degrees and 15 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of January in Pueblo is 30.5 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.35 inches of precipitation and 6.5 inches of snow through the month of January. On average, January is the 2nd coldest and 2nd driest month of the year in Pueblo.

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the month of January, which gives equal chances of above, below and near normal precipitation across most of Colorado, save for a slight nod to below normal temperatures across western Colorado.