August Weather Review across Southern Colorado

August of 2020 saw its share of severe weather across south central and southeast Colorado, most notably on August 5th, when destructive hail of up to 2 inches in diameter pounded southwestern portions of Colorado Springs. However, most of August of 2020 will be remembered for being generally hot and dry, with several major wildland fire starts across northern and western portions of Colorado, including the Pine Gulch fire in western Colorado, which has grown to be largest wildfire on record in Colorado. For the month of August as a whole, above to well above normal temperatures were experienced across all of south central and southeast Colorado, with mainly below to well below normal precipitation, save for portions of the far southeast plains, which saw at or above normal precipitation.  

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of August was 65.4 degrees. This is 2.7 degrees above normal and makes August of 2020, tied with August of 2007, as the 3rd warmest August on record in Alamosa. This, remains well behind the warmest August, 2011, when the average August temperature was 66.0 degrees.  Alamosa recorded 0.33 inches of precipitation through the month of August. This is 0.94 inches below normal and makes August of 2020 the 6th driest August on record. This remains below the driest August, 1944, when only 0.11 inches of precipitation was recorded in Alamosa. Alamosa tied or set 10 daily record high temperatures through the month of August, as well as a new August monthly record high when the temperature touched 92 degrees on August 19th. Alamosa had 6 days with temperatures of 90 degrees or more, shattering the previous August record of 90+ degree days of 2, set in August of  2002. This bring the 2020 total of 90+ degree days in Alamosa to 10, which is tied with 2011, 2002 and 1989, as the 3rd most 90 degree days on record in Alamosa, just behind the 20 days in 2003 and the 11 days in 2012. 

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of August was 74.0 degrees. This is 5.3 degrees above normal and makes August of 2020 the 2nd warmest August on record in Colorado Springs, literally just behind August of 2011 when the average monthly temperature was 74.1 degrees. Colorado Springs recorded 2.74 inches of precipitation through the month of August, which is 0.61 inches below normal. Colorado Springs tied or set 3  daily record high  temperatures through the month of August, as well as set a new record for 90 degree or greater days in August of 2020 with 21 days. This crushes the previous record of 16 days in August of temperatures greater than or equal to 90 degrees in Colorado Springs set in 2011. This also brings the 2020 total of 90+ degree days in Colorado Springs to 47, second only to the 49 days with 90 degree temperatures in 2012.  In addition, Colorado Springs recorded a 10 consecutive day period (ending August 27) and a 9 consecutive day period (ending August 14th) in which the temperature topped out at 90F or greater. The 10 day streak ties with a 10 day streak in July of 2001 as the 6th most consecutive days of 90+ degree temperatures on record, with the 9 day streak tying with July of 2016 as the 8th most consecutive 90+ degree days on record in Colorado Springs. Of note, while not recorded at the Colorado Springs Airport, August 5th of 2020 saw destructive hail of up to 2 inches in diameter hit southwestern portions of the city.  

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of August was 78.2 degrees. This is 4.8 degrees above normal and makes August of 2020 the 5th warmest August on record in Pueblo. This remains well below the warmest August, 1970, when the average monthly temperature in Pueblo was 79.8 degrees.  Pueblo recorded 0.31 inches of precipitation through the month of August. This is 2.01 inches below normal and makes August of 2020 the 8th driest on record in Pueblo. This remains behind the driest August, 1900, when only a trace of precipitation was recorded. Pueblo recorded one new daily record high temperature in August of 2020, as well as tied with August of 1970, as the most 100 degree days in the month of August with eight.  This brings the 2020 total of 100 degree days in Pueblo to 21, which ties with 1981, as the 4th most 100 degree days on record, just below the 28 days set in 2012 and 2003, and the 24 days set in 2002. 

Looking ahead into September in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 77 degrees and 43 degrees on September 1st, cool to 68 degrees and 31 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of September in Alamosa is 55.0 degrees.  Alamosa averages 0.91 inches of precipitation through the month of September.   On average, Alamosa will see its first freeze of the fall around September 11th. 

In Colorado Springs,  the average high temperature and low temperature of 79 degrees and 53 degrees on September 1st,  cool to 69 degrees and 41 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of September in Colorado Springs is 60.9 degrees.  Colorado Springs averages 1.19 inches of precipitation through the month of September.  On average, Colorado Springs will see 0.2 inches of snow in the month of September.     

In Pueblo, the average high temperature and low temperature of 87 degrees and 54 degrees on September 1st, cool to 76 degrees and 41 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of September in Pueblo is 64.7 degrees.  Pueblo averages 0.77 inches of precipitation through the month of September. On average,  Pueblo will see 0.3 inches of snow in the month of September.      

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the month of September, which gives better chances of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across the area, save for equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures across the far southeast plains.