December Weather Review across Southern Colorado

December of 2020 saw ebbs and flows of temperatures, as a several passing weather systems brought beneficial moisture and snowfall, especially to portions of the southeast mountains and plains, along with some briefly cooler temperatures to the region, before warmer and drier conditions returned. For the month of December as a whole, above to well above normal temperatures with generally at or below normal precipitation was experienced across across the region, save for pockets of above normal precipitation across the central and southwest mountains and portions of the southeast plains.

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 17.3 degrees, which is 0.6 degrees below normal. Alamosa recorded 0.36 inches of precipitation and 4.9 inches of snow through the month of December, which is 0.01 inches above normal and 0.4 inches above normal, respectively.

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of December was 33.5 degrees, which is 3.7 degrees above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 0.52 inches of precipitation through the month of December, which is 0.18 inches above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 5.1 inches of snow through the month of December, which is 0.6 inches below normal.

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of December was 32.8 degrees, which is 2.7 degrees above normal. Pueblo recorded 0.15 inches of precipitation and 1.4 inches of snow through the month of December, which is 0.23 inches below normal and 4.1 inches below normal, respectively.

Looking ahead into January in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 34 degrees and -2 degrees on January1st, 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 month of the year and tied with February as the driest month of the year.

In Colorado Springs, the average high temperature through out 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 temperature and low temperature of 46 degrees and 14 degrees on January 1st, warms to 48 degrees 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 second 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 better chances of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado, save for equal chances of above, below and near normal precipitation across south central Colorado.