May Weather Review for Southern Colorado

May of 2020 was a roller coaster type of month across south central and southeast Colorado, with periods of warm and dry conditions followed by periods of cool and wet conditions, as a few weather systems moved across the state. However, for the month of May as a whole, above to well above normal temperatures and below to well below normal precipitation was experienced across most of south central and southeast Colorado, save for a few pockets of above normal precipitation across portions of the southeast plains. 

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

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of May was 59.2 degrees. This is 3.3 degrees above normal and makes May of 2020, tied with May of 2004 as the 9th warmest May on record in Colorado Springs. This remains well below the warmest May on record, 2018, when the average monthly temperature was 62.2 degrees. Colorado Springs recorded 1.15 inches of precipitation through the month of May, which is 0.88 inches below normal. Of note, 0.95 inches (83 percent) of the total monthly precipitation (1.15 inches) was recorded on May 24th. Colorado Springs recorded 0.00 inches of snow through the month of May, which is 0.7 inches below normal. This keeps the 2019-2020 seasonal snowfall in Colorado Springs at 56.4 inches. This is 18.7 inches above normal to date, and currently keeps the 2019-2020 snow season as the 15th snowiest on record in Colorado Springs. 

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of May was 65.0 degrees. This is 4.6 degrees above normal and makes May of 2020 the 6th warmest May on record in Pueblo. This remains well below the warmest May, 2018, when the average monthly temperature in Pueblo was 67.4 degrees.  Pueblo recorded 0.27 inches of precipitation through the month of May. This is 1.24 inches below normal and makes May of 2020 the 5th driest May on record in Pueblo. This, however, remains well behind the driest May, 2004, when only a trace of precipitation was recorded in Pueblo.  Pueblo recorded 0.0 inches of snow through the month of May, which is 0.5 inches below normal. This keeps the 2019-2020 seasonal snowfall in Pueblo at 36.2 inches, which is 4.4 inches above normal to date, and currently keeps the 2019-2020 snow season as the 32nd snowiest on record in Pueblo.    

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of May was 56.0 degrees. This is 4.8 degrees above normal and makes May of 2020 the warmest May on record in Alamosa, besting the previous warmest May, 1984 and 1996, when the average May temperature was 55.2 degrees in Alamosa.  Alamosa recorded 0.23 inches of precipitation through the month of May, which is 0.35 inches below normal. Alamosa recorded 0.0 inches of snow through the month of May, which is 0.9 inches below normal. This keeps the 2019-2020 seasonal snowfall in Alamosa at 16.8 inches, which is 9.0 inches below normal to date, and currently keeps the 2019-2020 snow season as the 14th least snowiest on record in Alamosa.    

Looking ahead into June in Alamosa, the average high and low temperature of 74 degrees and 37 degrees on June 1st, warm to 82 degrees and 44 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of June in Alamosa is 59.2 degrees.  Alamosa averages 0.49 inches of precipitation and 0.0 inches of snow through the month of June.  

In Colorado Springs,  the average high and low of 74 degrees and 47 degrees on June 1st, warm to 84 degrees and 55 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of June in Colorado Springs is 65.1 degrees.  Colorado Springs averages 2.50 inches of precipitation and 0.0 inches of snow through the month of June.  

In Pueblo, the average high and low temperature of 82 degrees and 49 degrees on June 1st, warm to 92 degrees and 57 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of June in Pueblo is 70.0 degrees.  Pueblo averages 1.36 inches of precipitation and 0.0 inches of snow through the month of June. 

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