Spring of 2023 Weather Review

The start of the Spring of 2023 saw a predominately strong westerly flow pattern across the Rockies, which brought ample moisture and snowfall to areas along and west of the Continental Divide through the month of March, along with generally cool, dry and windy weather to most of eastern Colorado. April saw a rollercoaster of temperatures, as passing weather systems brought periods of warm and cold temperatures and generally dry conditions through the first half of the month. A stronger storm system moved across the region through the last week of April, bringing widespread beneficial precipitation to portions of the drought stricken southeast Colorado Plains. May of 2023 started out warm and dry across south central and southeast Colorado, before a slow moving weather system brought much cooler and abundant precipitation to the area from May 10th through May 12th, with wet heavy snowfall across portions of the southeast mountains and heavy rainfall to portions of the southeast Plains. A relatively cool and wet weather pattern continued across the region through the end of the month, especially across southeast Colorado.

The following graphics depict seasonal temperature and precipitation departures from normal across the state for the Spring of 2023.

The preliminary average temperature for the Spring of 2023 in Alamosa was 42.0 degrees, which is 1.1 degrees below normal. Alamosa recorded 1.37 inches of precipitation through the spring, which is 0.31 inches below normal. Alamosa recorded 5.3 inches of snow through the Spring of 2023 making it the 20th least snowiest spring on record.

(click here for a more detailed Spring of 2023 Climate Summary in Alamosa)

The preliminary average temperature for the Spring of 2023 in Colorado Springs was 47.6 degrees, which is 1.0 degrees below normal. Colorado Springs recorded 6.75 inches of precipitation through the spring. This is 2.52 inches above normal and makes the Spring of 2023 the 23rd wettest on record in Colorado Springs. Of note, 77 percent of the spring total precipitation was recorded in May (5.22 inches). Colorado Springs recorded 7.0 inches of snow through the spring. This is 4.8 inches below normal and makes the Spring of 2023 the 29th least snowiest on record.

(click here for a more detailed Spring of 2023 Climate Summary in Colorado Springs)

The preliminary average temperature for the Spring of 2023 in Pueblo was 51.5 degrees, which is 0.7 degrees below normal. Pueblo recorded 3.57 inches of precipitation through the spring, which is 0.39 inches below normal. Of note, 65 percent of the spring total precipitation was recorded in April (2.33 inches). Pueblo recorded 3.1 inches of snow through the spring. This is 4.8 inches below normal and makes the Spring of 2023 the 31st least snowiest on record.

(click here for a more detailed Spring of 2023 Climate Summary in Pueblo)

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the Summer of 2023 (June, July and August) which indicates better chances of above normal temperatures across south central and southeast Colorado, along with equal chances of above, below and near normal precipitation across the area, save for a slight nod to below normal precipitation across southwestern into south central Colorado.