September Weather Review

September of 2023 started and ended warm and dry across south central and southeast Colorado, with a passing, unseasonably strong weather system, bringing cool temperatures, good moisture and some accumulating snow to the higher mountain peaks through the middle of the month.     

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 56.8 degrees. This is 0.9 degrees above normal and makes September of 2023 tied as the 22nd warmest September on record in Alamosa, well behind the warmest average September temperature of 59.9F set just last year (2022). The average September maximum temperature in Alamosa was 76.3 degrees, which is 1.9 degrees above normal.  The average September minimum temperature in Alamosa was 37.3 degrees, which is normal.  Alamosa recorded 0.92 inches of precipitation through the month of September, which is 0.06 inches below normal.  Alamosa set 3 daily record high temperatures through the month of September.  Alamosa did not see any 90 degree days in September, which leaves the 2023 total 90 degree days at 17 (15 in July and 2 in August), which is the 2nd most 90 degree days on record in Alamosa, just behind the 20 days in 2003. 

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of September was 66.0 degrees. This is 3.0 degrees above normal and makes September of 2023 the 8th warmest September on record, well behind the warmest September of 2019 when the average monthly temperature was 68.7F. The average  September maximum temperature in Colorado Springs was 80.3 degrees, which is 3.2 degrees above normal. The average September minimum temperature in Colorado Springs was 51.6 degrees, which is 2.7 degrees above normal.  Colorado Springs recorded 1.80 inches of precipitation through the month of September. This is 0.45 inches above normal and makes September of 2023 the 29th wettest September on record, well behind the 5.91 inches of precipitation recorded in September of 2011.  Colorado Springs set a daily record high temperature and saw 5 days with high temperatures of 90F or greater through the month of September. This brings the 2023 total 90+ degree days to 28 (1 in June, 13 in July, 9 in August, 5 in September), which is well behind the 52 days of 90+ degree days set in 2020. 

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of September was 69.3 degrees. This is 2.7 degrees above normal and makes September of 2023 the 14th warmest September on record. This is well behind the warmest September of 2019, when the average monthly temperature was 72.8 degrees.  The average September maximum temperature in Pueblo was 85.9 degrees, which is 2.8 degrees above normal. The average September minimum temperature in Pueblo was 52.6 degrees,  which is 2.5 degrees above normal. Pueblo recorded1.63 inches of precipitation through the month of September. This is 0.98 inches above normal and makes September of 2023 the 17th wettest September on record, well behind wettest September of 1909, when 3.93 inches of precipitation was recorded in Pueblo.   Pueblo set a daily record high temperature and a daily record maximum precipitation throughout September.  Pueblo saw one day in September at or above the century mark, which brings the 2023 total 100+ degree days in Pueblo to 20 (1 in June, 13 in July, 5 in August, 1 in September).  This makes 2023 tied with 2016 and 1970 as the 7th most 100+ degree days on record in Pueblo, well behind the 28 days at or above 100F 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 and 2.2 inches of snow through the month of October.      

In Colorado Springs, the average high 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, the first freeze of the fall in Colorado Springs is on October 1st.             

In Pueblo, the average high temperature and low temperature of 77 degrees and 43 degrees on October 1st, cool 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, the first freeze of the fall in Pueblo is on October 8th.      

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