February Weather Review across Southern Colorado

February started out warm and dry across south central and southeast Colorado before several passing weather systems through the middle and end of the month, brought beneficial moisture and record breaking cold temperatures to most of the area. Portions of the southeast plains did not see temperatures warm above the freezing mark for 10 consecutive days, with many areas of the plains also setting multiple records for the coldest minimum temperatures in the February 12th through February 16th timeframe. Colorado Springs also set a new lowest maximum temperature of -1 degree on February 14th, making it one of only 18 days on record in which the temperature never got above zero degrees in Colorado Springs. For the month of February as a whole, below to well below normal temperatures were experienced across the area, save for at to slightly above normal temperatures across the southwest mountains and into the San Luis Valley. As for precipitation, near to above normal conditions were experienced across the region in February 

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 25.5 degrees, which is 2.7 degrees above normal. Alamosa recorded 0.28 inches of precipitation and 4.5 inches of snow through the month of February, which is 0.02 inches above normal and 0.7 inches above normal, respectively.

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of February was 26.1 degrees. This is 6.0 degrees below normal and makes February of 2021, tied with February of 1964, as the 11th coldest February on record. This remains well above the coldest February, 1899, when the average monthly temperature was 16.8 degrees. Colorado Springs recorded 0.84 inches of precipitation through the month of February. This is 0.50 inches above normal and makes February of 2021 tied with February of 1931 as the 14th wettest February on record in Colorado Springs. This remains well below the wettest February, 1987, when 2.45 inches of precipitation was recorded in Colorado. Colorado Springs recorded 13.6 inches of snow through the month of February. This is 8.7 inches above normal and makes February of 2021 the 8th snowiest on record. This remains well behind the snowiest February, 1987, when 23.2 inches of snow was recorded in Colorado Springs. 

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of February was 27.4 degrees. This is 6.4 degrees below normal and makes February of 2021 the 13th coldest February on record in Pueblo. This remains well below the coldest February, 1899, when the average monthly temperature was 18.6 degrees. Pueblo recorded 0.49 inches of precipitation and 8.7 inches of snow through the month of February, which is 0.19 inches above normal and 4.9 inches above normal, respectively. 

Looking ahead into March in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 45 degrees and 12 degree 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 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 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 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 the month of March.  On average, March is the second 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 better chances of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across al of south central and southeast Colorado.