January Weather Review

A roller coaster weather pattern was experienced across south central and southeast Colorado for the first month of 2024. Several passing weather systems brought periods of precipitation and warm and cold temperatures to the region, including blizzard conditions to southeast Colorado on January 8th, followed by a true "Arctic Airmass" invading eastern Colorado January 12th through January 16th.  For the month of January as a whole, below normal temperatures  were experienced across southeast Colorado while at and above normal temperatures were experienced across south central Colorado. As for precipitation, at and above normal trends were experienced across southeast Colorado, with generally below normal precipitation experienced across south central Colorado, save for above normal precipitation across portions of the Central Mountains.          

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

The preliminary average temperature in Alamosa for the past month of January was 21.5 degrees. This is 4.7 degrees above normal and makes January of 2024 the 17th warmest January on record in Alamosa. This remains well behind the warmest January of 2003, when the average monthly temperature was 26.4 degrees. The average January maximum temperature in Alamosa was 37.6 degrees, which is 2.8 degrees above normal.  The average January minimum temperature in Alamosa was 5.5 degrees, which is 6.6 degrees above normal.  Alamosa recorded 0.25 inches of precipitation through the month of January, which is 0.07 inches below normal. Alamosa recorded 3.1 inches of snow through the month of January, which is 1.4 inches below normal.     

The preliminary average temperature in Colorado Springs for the past month of January was 29.9 degrees, which is 1.8 degrees below normal.  The average January maximum temperature in Colorado Springs was 47.7 degrees, which is 2.3 degrees below normal. The average January minimum temperature in Colorado Springs was 17.1 degrees, which is 1.4 degrees below normal.  Colorado Springs recorded 0.62 inches of precipitation through the month of January. This is 0.33 inches above normal and makes January of 2024 the 11th wettest January on record, well behind the 1.17 inches of precipitation recorded in January of 1987. Colorado Springs tallied 7.1 inches of snowfall through the month of January. This is 2.2 inches above normal and makes January of 2024 tied as the 23rd snowiest January on record, well behind the 28.7 inches of snow recorded in January of 1987.  Colorado Springs set a  record daily minimum temperature and a record daily minimum high temperature, as well as a record daily precipitation and snowfall in the month of January. 

The preliminary average temperature in Pueblo for the past month of January was 29.2 degrees, which is 2.7 degrees below normal.  The average January maximum temperature in Pueblo was 43.9 degrees, which is 4.5 degrees below normal. The average January minimum temperature in Pueblo was 14.5 degrees,  which is 0.9 degrees below normal. Pueblo recorded 0.32 inches of precipitation through the month of January, which is 0.03 inches above normal. Pueblo tallied 2.7 inches of snow through the month of January, which is 2.2 inches below normal. Pueblo set two daily record minimum high temperatures in the month of January.   

Looking ahead into February in Alamosa, the average high and low temperature of 37 degrees and 2 degrees on February 1st, warm to 47 degrees and 13 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of February in Alamosa is 24.3 degrees.  Alamosa averages 0.28 inches of precipitation and 4.1 inches of snow through the month of February.   On average, February is the driest month of the year in Alamosa.     

In Colorado Springs, the average high and low temperature of 45 degrees and 19 degrees on February 1st, warm to 50 degrees and 23 degrees by the end  of the month. The average temperature for the month of February in Colorado Springs is 33.4 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 0.32 inches of precipitation and 4.6 inches of snow through the month of February.        

In Pueblo, the average high temperature and low temperature of 49 degrees and 17 degrees on February 1st, warm to 55 degrees and 22 degrees by the end of the month. The average temperature for the month of February in Pueblo is 35.1 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.32 inches of precipitation and 4.7 inches of snow through the month of February.           

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) temperature and precipitation outlook for February of 2024, which leans towards above normal temperatures and precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado.