July Weather Review

July of 2023 was "A Tale of of Two Cities" across southern Colorado, with dry and warm conditions prevailing across south central Colorado, while cooler and unsettled weather prevailed across southeastern Colorado. Alamosa received 0.01 inches of precipitation through out the month July, making July of 2023 the driest July on record in Alamosa, while Campo and Walsh Colorado received 6.33 inches and 6.39 inches respectively, in July, becoming the 5th and 4th wettest July's respectively. Unfortunately, the unsettled weather across the southeast plains also brought bouts of severe weather, with large hail of 2 to 4 inches in diameter, flash flooding, strong damaging wind gusts and tornadoes all observed across southeast Colorado through out the month of July.   

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of July was 68.2 degrees. This is 2.9 degrees above normal and makes July of 2023, tied with July of 2003, as the 2nd warmest July on record in Alamosa, just behind the average July temperature of 68.4F in 2011. The average July maximum temperature in Alamosa was 89.3 degrees. This is 5.9 degrees above normal and becomes the warmest July average maximum temperature on record in Alamosa, surpassing the 88.4 degree July average maximum temperature in 2003. The average July minimum temperature in Alamosa was 47.2 degrees, which is 0.1 degrees below normal.  Alamosa recorded 0.01 inches of precipitation through the month of July. This is 1.03 inches below normal and makes July of 2023 the driest July on record, surpassing the 0.02 inches recorded in July of 2003. 

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of July was 72.6 degrees, which is 0.2 degrees above normal. The average  July maximum temperature in Colorado Springs was 86.2 degrees, which is 0.3 degrees below normal. The average July minimum temperature in Colorado Springs was 58.9 degrees, which is 0.7 degrees above normal.  Colorado Springs recorded 2.86 inches of precipitation through the month of July, which is 0.26 inches below normal. 

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of July was 78.6 degrees. This is 1.4 degrees above normal and makes July of 2023, tied as the 18th warmest July on record. This is well behind the warmest July of 2003, when the average July temperature was 81.2 degrees.  The average July maximum temperature in Pueblo was 95.8 degrees, which is 2.4 degrees above normal. The average July minimum temperature in Pueblo was 61.3 degrees, which is 0.3 degrees above normal.  Pueblo recorded 1.40 inches of precipitation through the month of July, which is 0.46 inches below normal.   

Looking ahead into August in Alamosa, the average high and low temperature of 82 degrees and 48 degrees on August 1st, cools to 79 degrees and 43 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of August in Alamosa is 63.2 degrees.  Alamosa averages 1.29 inches of precipitation through the month of August. On average, August is the wettest month of the year in Alamosa.     

In Colorado Springs, the average high and low temperature of 86 degrees and 59 degrees on August 1st, cools to 82 degrees and 54 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of August in Colorado Springs is 70.1 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 2.96 inches of precipitation through the month of August.  On average, August is the 2nd warmest and 2nd wettest month of the year in Colorado Springs.            

In Pueblo, the average high and low temperature of 92 degrees and 62 degrees on August 1st, cools to 88 degrees and 56 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of August in Pueblo is 74.8 degrees. Pueblo averages 2.11 inches of precipitation through the month of August.  On average, August is the wettest month of the year in Pueblo. 

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