Winter of 2022-2023 Review

The start of meteorological winter (December, January and February) was relatively warm and dry across south central and southeast Colorado. The second half of December saw occasional disturbances bringing surges of cold and unsettled weather to the area, especially eastern Colorado, which saw a true "Arctic Intrusion" leading up to the Christmas Holiday Weekend. The first week of the new year was relatively cool and unsettled across south central and southeast Colorado, before upper level ridging brought warm and dry conditions to region for the second week of January. The last half of January saw occasional disturbances bringing surges of cold and unsettled weather to the area, with another bout of Arctic air across the southeast Plains at the end of the month. February started off warm and dry across south central and southeast Colorado, with several passing weather systems through out the rest of the month bringing periods of cool and wet weather as well as another surge of very cold Arctic air across region.

The following graphics depict seasonal temperature and precipitation departures from normal across the state for the Winter of 2022-2023.

The preliminary average temperature for the Winter of 2022-2023 in Alamosa was 22.5 degrees. This is 2.7 degrees above normal and makes the Winter of 2022-2023 tied as the 24th warmest on record in Alamosa. Alamosa recorded 0.79 inches of precipitation through the winter. This is 0.16 inches below normal and makes the Winter of 2022-2023 the 46th driest on record in Alamosa. Alamosa recorded 10.9 inches of snow through the Winter of 2022-2023 making it the 35th least snowiest Winter on record.

(click here for a more detailed Winter of 2022_2023 Climate Summary in Alamosa)

The preliminary average temperature for the Winter of 2022-2023 in Colorado Springs was 32.1 degrees, which is 0.1 degrees below normal and becomes the 41st warmest on record in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs recorded 1.38 inches of precipitation through the winter. This is 0.54 inches above normal and makes the Winter of 2022-2023 the 21st wettest on record in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs recorded 21.6 inches of snow through the winter. This is 8.0 inches above normal and makes the Winter of 2022-2023 the 19th snowiest on record.

(click here for a more detailed Winter of 2022 2023 Climate Summary in Colorado Springs)

The preliminary average temperature for the Winter of 2022-2023 in Pueblo was 31.1 degrees. This is 1.8 degrees below normal and makes the Winter of 2022-2023 tied as the 45th coldest on record in Pueblo. Pueblo recorded 0.76 inches of precipitation through the winter. This is 0.14 inches below normal and makes the Winter of 2022-2023 tied as 42nd driest on record. Pueblo recorded 11.9 inches of snow through the winter. This is 2.3 inches below normal and makes the Winter of 2022-2023 the 50th least snowiest on record.

(click here for a more detailed Winter of 2022 2023 Climate Summary in Pueblo)

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for the Spring of 2023 (March, April and May) which indicates better chances of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across southern Colorado, with equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures and precipitation across northern Colorado.