February Climate Review and March Preview

February of 2019 continued the weather pattern of the previous month, with periodic weather disturbances moving through persistent moderate west to northwest flow aloft across the Rockies. This pattern brought abundant and beneficial snowfall to areas over and near the higher terrain, especially the Southwest Mountains, with Wolf Creek Ski resort reporting over 5 feet of snow in one 7 day period.  This pattern also brought periods of warm temperatures and strong winds, as well as brief periods of moisture and cold arctic intrusions to the Southeast Plains. For the month of February as a whole, below normal temperatures were experienced across the area, save for pockets of near normal temperatures across the Southern I-25 Corridor. As for precipitation, at or above normal precipitation was experienced across most of South Central and Southeast Colorado, save for pockets of below normal precipitation experienced across the Southeast Colorado Plains. 

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of February was 20.3 degrees. This is is 2.5 degrees below normal and makes February of 2019 the 13th coldest February on record in Alamosa. This remains well behind the coldest February on record, 1939, when the average monthly  temperature was only 8.3 degrees. Alamosa recorded 0.37 inches of precipitation through the month of February. This is 0.11 inches above normal and makes February of 2019, tied with February of 1965, as the 11th wettest February on record. This remains well behind the wettest February, 1963, when 1.42 inches of precipitation fell in Alamosa.  Alamosa recorded 4.1 inches of snow through out the month of February, which is 0.3 inches above normal. 

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of February was 31.6 degrees, which is 0.5 degrees below normal. Colorado Springs recorded 0.29 inches of precipitation and 6.1 inches of snow through out the month of February, which is 0.05 inches below normal and 1.2 inches above normal, respectively. 

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of February was 34.0 degrees, which is 0.1 degrees above normal. Pueblo recorded 0.22 inches of precipitation through out the month of February, which is 0.08 inches below normal. Pueblo recorded 5.6 inches of snow through out the month of February, which is 1.8 inches above normal. 

Looking ahead into March, in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 45 degrees and 12 degrees on March 1st,  warm to 55 degrees and 21 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of March in Alamosa is 33.5 degrees. Alamosa averages 0.53 inches of precipitation and 5.0 inches of snow through out the month of March. On average, March is the snowiest month of the year in Alamosa. 

In Colorado Springs, the average high temperature and low temperature of 48 degrees and 22 degrees on March 1st,  warm to 56 degrees and 29 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of March in Colorado Springs is 39.1 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 1.00 inches of precipitation and 8.1 inches of snow through out the month of March. On average, March is the snowiest month of the year in  Colorado Springs. 

In Pueblo,  the average high temperature and low temperature of 55 degrees and 21 degrees on March 1st, warm to 63 degrees and 30 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of March in Pueblo is 42.3 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.93 inches of precipitation and 5.7 inches of snow through out the month of March.  On average, March is the 2nd snowiest month of the year in Pueblo.      

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the month of March, which gives a slight nod to below normal temperatures across Southeast Colorado and equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures across South Central Colorado. As for March precipitation, there looks to be better chances of above normal precipitation across all of South Central and Southeast Colorado.