September Weather Review

Predominate west to southwest flow aloft across the region through the month of September 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. For the month of September as a whole, above normal temperatures and generally below normal precipitation were experienced across the region, save for pockets of above normal precipitation across southwestern and northeastern Colorado.  

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of  September was 59.9 degrees. This is 4.0 degrees above normal and makes September of 2022 the warmest September on record in Alamosa, surpassing the average September temperature of 59.0 degrees in 1933. The average September maximum temperature was 78.7F, which is 4.3 degrees above normal, and makes the September 2022 average maximum temperature the 4th warmest on record, well behind the warmest September average maximum temperature of 79.8F in 2021.  The average September minimum temperature was 41.0F, which is 3.7 degrees above normal, and makes the September 2022 average minimum temperature the 5th warmest on record, well behind the warmest September average  minimum temperature of 42.1F in 2013.  Alamosa recorded 0.53 inches of precipitation through the month of September. This is 0.45 inches below normal and makes September of 2022, tied with September of 1967as the 32nd driest September on record.  Of note, Alamosa highest temperature of 89 degrees on September 5th, ties with September 5th and 6th of 2020, and September 10th and 11th of 2021, as the highest temperature on record for the month of September in Alamosa.  

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of September was 66.9 degrees. This is 3.9 degrees above normal and makes September of 2022 as the 5th warmest September on record in Colorado Springs, though well behind the warmest September of 2019, when the average September temperature was 68.7 degrees.  The average September maximum temperature was 82.1F, which is 5.0 degrees above normal, and makes the September 2022 average maximum temperature the 5th warmest on record, well behind the warmest September average maximum temperature of 84F in 2019.  The average September minimum temperature was 51.7F, which is 2.8 degrees above normal, and makes the September 2022 average minimum temperature the 7th warmest on record, well behind the warmest September average minimum temperature of 53.3F in 2019.  Colorado Springs recorded 0.50 inches of precipitation through the month of September, which is 0.85 inches below normal and makes September of 2022 tied with September of 2004, as the 36th driest on record in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs saw temperatures at or above 90 degrees six times through the month of September, which makes September of 2022 tied with September of 1960, as the 2nd most 90 degree days in September, just behind the 8 days of 90 degree temperatures in 2018. This brings the 2022 total up to 40 days with temperatures at or above 90 degrees in Colorado Springs, and makes 2022 the 5th most 90+ degree days in Colorado Springs. This is well behind the 52 days of 90+ degree temperatures recorded in 2020.  

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of September was 70.1degrees. This is 3.5 degrees above normal and makes September of 2022 the 5th warmest September on record in Pueblo, though well behind the warmest September of 2019, when the average monthly temperature was  72.8 degrees.   The average September maximum temperature was 88.3F, which is 5.2 degrees above normal, and makes the September 2022 average maximum temperature the 5th warmest on record, well behind the warmest September average maximum temperature of 90.3F in 2019.  The average September minimum temperature was 51.9F, which is 1.8 degrees above normal, and makes the September 2022 average minimum temperature the 27th warmest on record, well behind the warmest September average minimum temperature of 56.8F in 1931. Pueblo recorded 0.49 inches of precipitation through the month of September, which is 0.16 inches below normal. Pueblo saw temperatures of 100 degrees or greater 4 times in September. This is the most 100 degree days in September on record, surpassing the 3 days recorded in September of 2019. This also brings the 2022 seasonal total up to 25 days with temperatures at or above the century mark, which is 3th most 100 degree days in Pueblo on record, just behind the 28 days of 100 degree temperatures in 2012 and 2003.    

Looking ahead into October in Alamosa, the average high and low temperature of 69 degrees and 31 degrees on October 1st, cool to 57 degrees and 19 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of October in Alamosa is 43.8 degrees.  Alamosa averages 0.65 inches of precipitation through the month of October.   

In Colorado Springs,  the average high temperature and low temperature of 71 degrees and 43 degrees on October 1st, cool to 59 degrees and 31 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of October in Colorado Springs is 50.7 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 0.77 inches of precipitation and 2.5 inches of snow through the month of October.  On average, Colorado Springs sees the first freeze of the season on October 1st.       

In Pueblo, the average high temperature and low temperature of 77 degrees and 43 degrees on October 1st, cools to 63 degrees and 30 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of October in Pueblo is 52.8 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.76 inches of precipitation and 1.9 inches of snow through the month of October. On average, Pueblo sees the first freeze of the season on October 8th. .        

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