Fall of 2022 Weather Review

The start of meteorological fall 2022 (September, October and November) saw predominate west to southwest flow aloft across the region through the month. This kept generally warm temperatures in place across south central and southeast Colorado, with a few passing systems bringing a few days of cooler temperatures, especially across the eastern plains, with upslope flow behind passing fronts. The southwesterly flow aloft also brought in some monsoonal moisture, especially in the September 20th through September 22nd timeframe, when ample subtropical moisture brought locally heavy rainfall to areas along and west of the Continental Divide. A mainly west to northwest flow pattern through the first half of October brought a few bouts of precipitation, especially across the northern and central mountains, as well as brief bouts of cooler temperatures to the region, as a few passing weather systems moved mainly north of the region. A pattern shift occurred through the last half of October, where as a few weather systems moved just south of the area, owning to better precipitation across the southern mountains and bouts of breezy to windy conditions across the southeast plains. An up and down weather pattern was experienced across the region through the first half of November, as a few passing weather systems brought periods of of cool and unsettled weather along with periods of warm and dry conditions. A pattern shift developed through the second half of the month, where as, a broad upper trough carved out across the central CONUS, bringing surges of Arctic air into the Rockies.

The following graphics depict seasonal temperature and precipitation departures from normal across the state for the Fall of 2022.

The preliminary average temperature for the Fall of 2022 in Alamosa was 43.4 degrees, which is 0.1 degrees above normal. Alamosa tied the record high September temperature of 89 degrees on September 5th, 2022. This was last set on September 5th of 2020. Alamosa recorded 1.29 inches of precipitation through the Fall of 2022. This is 0.71 inches below normal and makes the Fall of 2022 the 27th driest on record in Alamosa. Alamosa recorded 4.6 inches of snow through the Fall of 2022.

(click here for a more detailed Fall of 2022 Climate Summary in Alamosa)

The preliminary average temperature for the Fall of 2022 in Colorado Springs was 52.0 degrees, which is 0.9 degrees above normal. Colorado Springs recorded 0.89 inches of precipitation through the Fall. This is 1.60 inches below normal and makes the Fall of 2022 the 17th driest on record in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs recorded 7.4 inches of snow through the Fall (all in November), which is 0.3 inches above normal.

(click here for a more detailed Fall of 2022 Climate Summary in Colorado Springs)

The preliminary average temperature for the Fall of 2022 in Pueblo was 53.8 degrees, which is 0.5 degrees above normal. Pueblo recorded 0.86 inches of precipitation through the Fall. This is 1.02 inches below normal and makes the Fall of 2022 the 19th driest on record in Pueblo. Pueblo recorded 4.1 inches of snow through the Fall (all in November), which is 2.1 inches below normal.

(click here for a more detailed Fall of 2022 Climate Summary in Pueblo)

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the Fall of 2022 (September, October and November), which indicates better chances of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado.