March Weather Review across Southern Colorado

March of 2021 may have started and ended like a lamb across Colorado, however much of the month roared like a lion, as several weather systems moving across the Rockies brought ample and very beneficial moisture to the region, especially across portions of eastern Colorado, which recorded widespread 1 to 2 inches of precipitation, with local amounts above 3 inches.  Most notably was a storm system that moved across the regional March 13th through March 15th, which brought snowfall of 1 to 3 feet across the Front Range of Colorado and into the southeastern mountains, along with blizzard conditions along and north of the Palmer Divide. For the month of March as a whole, near normal to below normal temperatures were experienced across the area, save for at to slightly above normal temperatures across the San Luis Valley and portions of the southeast plains. As for precipitation, above to well above normal conditions were experienced across much of the region in March, save for below normal precipitation recorded across portions of southwestern into south central Colorado.  

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of March was 34.3 degrees, which is 0.8 degrees above normal. Alamosa recorded 0.26 inches of precipitation and 5.6 inches of snow through the month of March, which is 0.27 inches below normal and 0.6 inches above normal, respectively.

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of March was 39.8 degrees, which is 0.7 degrees above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 1.40 inches of precipitation through the month of March. This is 0.40 inches above normal and makes March of 2021 the 17th wettest March on record in Colorado Springs. This remains well below the wettest March, 1906, when 3.03 inches of precipitation was recorded in Colorado. Colorado Springs recorded 14.6 inches of snow through the month of March. This is 6.5 inches above normal and makes March of 2021 the 18th snowiest on record. This remains well behind the snowiest March, 1909, when 30.2 inches of snow was recorded in Colorado Springs. Of note, while the Colorado Springs Airport recorded 14.6 inches of snow for the month of March, areas just north and northwest of Colorado Springs (Monument, Palmer Lake, Black Forest) recorded between 3 to 4 feet of snow through out the month. 

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of March was 43.0 degrees, which is 0.7 degrees above normal. Pueblo recorded 0.73 inches of precipitation and 3.8 inches of snow through the month of March, which is 0.20 inches below normal and 1.9 inches below normal, respectively. 

Looking ahead into April in Alamosa, the average high temperature and low temperature of 55 degrees and 21 degrees on April 1st, warm to 64 degrees and 29 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of April in Alamosa is 41.8 degrees.  Alamosa averages 0.59 inches of precipitation and 3.6 inches of snow through the month of April. 

In Colorado Springs, the average high temperature and low temperature of 56 degrees and 30 degrees on April 1st, warm to 64 degrees and 38 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of April in Colorado Springs is 46.5 degrees.  Colorado Springs averages 1.42 inches of precipitation and 4.9 inches of snow through the month of April.            

In Pueblo, the average high temperature  and low temperature of 63 degrees and 30 degrees on April 1st, warm to 72 degrees 39 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of April in Pueblo is 50.6 degrees.  Pueblo averages 1.40 inches of precipitation and 3.8 inches of snow through the month of April.  On average, March is the second snowiest month of the year in Pueblo.  On average, Pueblo will see its last freeze of the season on April 30th.      

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the month of April, which gives better chances of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across al of south central and southeast Colorado.