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By Bill Kappel

• A look ahead
• June 2024 Weather Statistics

June was the second month in a row of well below normal rainfall, but unlike May temperatures were well above normal. This combination of warm and dry conditions of course was not good for our plants, which would do better with a more auspicious start to the North American Monsoon system season and more frequent rainfall in July. This is also a reflection of the transition from a strong El Niño pattern to a La Niña pattern this spring. La Niña has begun to set up in the Pacific, shifting the storm track farther north and allowing the region to be dominated by high pressure and not allowing high levels of low-level moisture to build in the region.

Not surprisingly, the month started off dry and mild with highs reaching the mid-70s to mid-80s every day from the 1st through the 8th. The lack of thunderstorm development was unusual with only two afternoons/early evenings seeing thunderstorms. And only one of these, on the 7th, produced measurable rainfall.

Over the next 10 days, even warmer air moved in, producing our first heatwave of the year. Highs increased from the mid-70s on the 9th, 10th, and 11th to the mid-80s on the 12th and peaking in the low 90s on the 13th. Note that 90-degree temperatures on top of the Palmer Divide only happen about five-10 times per year. Most afternoons did see a buildup of afternoon clouds and a few brief showers and thunderstorms, but nothing that amounted to more than a trace in most cases. So we didn’t get any relief from the heat. Of course, we also didn’t get any severe weather either.

An uptick in moisture and therefore more active conditions finally affected the region from the 18th through the 22nd. This started with a push of cooler air during the morning of the 18th, dropping highs from the upper 80s the day before to the upper 60s and low 70s that afternoon. This also produced some low clouds, fog, and rain showers, a nice relief from the heat. The cool, upslope conditions continued on the 19th, with low clouds and fog sticking around all day. This kept us cool, with highs only hitting the upper 50s and more rain showers at times. The remnant moisture also allowed scattered thunderstorms to form each afternoon over the next couple of days, more typical of a mid-June weather pattern. Even with all the cool and moist weather, most of us only managed to accumulate a quarter to half-inch of rainfall, certainly not enough to alleviate our dry conditions.

The month ended with more warm conditions, with highs hitting the upper 80s to low 90s from the 23rd through the 28th. We did manage to squeeze out a few afternoon thunderstorms and brief rain showers each afternoon and evening, with the heaviest rainfall occurring on the last day of the month when three waves of storms moved through from the late afternoon through early morning hours. This doubled our rainfall for the month with a half inch to an inch accumulation.

A look ahead

July can be an active weather month around the region as the Southwest Monsoon season gets going. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are a common occurrence, and when they are able to tap into higher levels of moisture, flash flooding can result. Hot, stagnant weather can also take hold for a few days at time, with highs hitting the 90s on the warmest days.

June 2024 Weather Statistics

Average High 81.9° (+4.5°) 100-year return frequency value max 82.5° min 66.3°

Average Low 50.1° (+5.8°) 100-year return frequency value max 50.7° min 40.2°

Highest Temperature 91°F on the 13th, 25th

Lowest Temperature 43°F on the 1st, 19th

Monthly Precipitation 0.72” (-1.13” 82% below normal) 100-year return frequency value max 6.94” min 0.15”

Monthly Snowfall 0.0” (-0.1” 100% below normal)

Season to Date Snow 137.1” (+14.6” 10% above normal) (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip 8.50” (-2.72” 20% below normal) (the precip season is from Jan 1 to Dec 31)

Heating Degree Days 45 (-50)

Cooling Degree Days 73 (+45)

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other Weather articles

• November Weather Wrap (12/5/2024)
• October Weather Wrap (11/2/2024)
• September Weather Wrap (10/5/2024)
• August Weather Wrap (9/7/2024)
• July Weather Wrap (8/3/2024)
• June Weather Wrap (7/6/2024)
• May Weather Wrap (6/1/2024)
• April Weather Wrap (5/4/2024)
• March Weather Wrap (4/6/2024)
• February Weather Wrap (3/2/2024)

• A look ahead
• May 2024 Weather Statistics

By Bill Kappel

May was cool and relatively dry, an unusual combination where we would normally expect cooler than normal temperatures to be accompanied by a couple good snowfalls. But not this year.

The first week of the month was dry with temperatures right about normal. Overnight lows were just below freezing most mornings, with afternoon highs in the 50s and 60s. An unsettled pattern then affected the region for the next week from the 9th through the 15th. During this period, daily rain showers mixed with snow at times were seen from the 9th through the 12th. High temperatures were well below normal on the 9th and 10th, only reaching the 40s. This was a good example of how important elevation is for determining whether precipitation falls as rain or snow, which is especially relevant during the fall and spring. In this case, heavy, wet snow accumulated above 8,000 feet, with 1-2 feet in Teller County, while we just received cold rain mixed with snow.

Temperatures warmed slightly over the next few days, and we received only rainfall. The unsettled period ended with area of thunderstorms, some producing decent hail especially for areas farther east of Black Forest.

Temperatures continued to warm over the next couple of days, moving into the mid-60s on the 16th, then mid-70s from the 17th through 19th. On the 18th, a series of thunderstorms developed, producing rounds of rain showers that afternoon and early evening, with hail covering the ground in some areas of Black Forest.

For the remaining two weeks of the month, conditions were generally quiet and dry. We did have a quick cool down on the 21st and 22nd and a few showers and thunderstorms. But outside of this period, most days started off quietly with partly to mostly cloudy skies developing during the afternoon. Temperatures dipped below freezing on the mornings, of the 22nd and 24th. And highs jumped into the low to mid-70s on the 23rd, 25th, and the 27th-30th giving the region our first real feel of summer-like conditions as we head into June.

A look ahead

By June we can usually say goodbye to our chance of snowfall but hello to frequent afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Most of the time we can expect warm, sunny days with those afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

May 2024 Weather Statistics

Average High 64.2° (-1.5°)

100-year return frequency value max 75.7° min 57.9°

Average Low 36.1° (-2.7°)

100-year return frequency value max 43.2° min 32.5°

Highest Temperature 78° on the 30th

Lowest Temperature 26° on the 9th

Monthly Precipitation 0.60”

(-2.04” 80% below normal)

100-year return frequency value max 6.94” min 0.15”

Monthly Snowfall Trace

(-5.7” 100% below normal)

Season to Date Snow 137.1”

(+13.9”, 10% above normal)

(the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip 7.78”

(-1.06” 12% below normal)

Heating Degree Days 461 (+143)

Cooling Degree Days 0

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other weather columns

• November Weather Wrap (12/5/2024)
• October Weather Wrap (11/2/2024)
• September Weather Wrap (10/5/2024)
• August Weather Wrap (9/7/2024)
• July Weather Wrap (8/3/2024)
• June Weather Wrap (7/6/2024)
• May Weather Wrap (6/1/2024)
• April Weather Wrap (5/4/2024)
• March Weather Wrap (4/6/2024)
• February Weather Wrap (3/2/2024)

• A look ahead
• April 2024 Weather Statistics

By Bill Kappel

For the second April in a row, precipitation was below average. However, unlike last year, we have had ample moisture heading into spring and therefore, the lower-than-normal moisture last month isn’t as big of a problem. Along with the drier-than-normal conditions, temperatures were above normal. This was mostly result of overnight lows being well above average and no significantly cold mornings during the month.

The first two days of the month were cool and unsettled with light snowfall from the afternoon of the 1st into the morning of the 2nd. Most of us received 1-2 inches of snowfall, nothing too heavy but enough to remind us that winter-like weather wasn’t over yet. After this quick shot of cool weather and light snow, conditions were quiet for the next two weeks, with only a trace of snow occurring with a brief snow shower on the 6th. Temperatures were generally within 5 degrees above or below normal during the entire period from the 3rd through the 13th, when temperatures warmed to well above normal from the 13th through the 15th. Temperatures reached into the upper 60s and low 70s during this period and was our first real taste of spring.

The mild conditions were ahead of a pattern change that allowed a series of storm systems into the region out of the Pacific Northwest. Most of these bypassed the Front Range without any significant precipitation. Therefore, we didn’t have an upslope or cold air to help with precipitation production. The first change came in during the morning and afternoon of the 16th, when snow showers developed across the area and produced a quick dusting of snow.

Finally, a real cold front with persistent upslope conditions moved in during the morning of the 18th. This brought well-below-normal temperatures and areas of fog to the region. There were some light snow showers and flurries at times as well as this pattern stayed entrenched for the next few days. Highs were held in the 30s to low 40s during the period. A more organized disturbance moved across during the afternoon of the 20th and produced more widespread snow showers, with 1-2 inches accumulating in the region.

Mild and dry conditions quickly returned, with highs jumping into the 60s and low 70s from the 22nd through the 25th. This quick warmup was ahead of our strongest storm of the month. This system began to affect the region during the afternoon and evening of the 26th, with good old rain showers and a few thunderstorms developing. This was associated with a series of low pressures moving through the Intermountain West, toward the Four Corners, then redeveloping over eastern Colorado. This pattern also drew in a lot of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, producing heavy rain at times to our east and areas of severe weather.

Rain showers continued during the evening and early morning hours of the 26th into the 27th. As the atmosphere continued to cool, rain turned to heavy wet snow during the early morning of the 27th. And as is typical this time of the year, elevation was very important for who saw heavy snow and who saw no snow. For most areas above 7,000 feet, 2-6 inches of snow accumulated during the morning and afternoon of the 27th. Unsettled and cool conditions continued on the 28th with a few showers developing, but this was the last moisture of the month. Quiet conditions moved in for the last couple days of the month, with temperatures moving from below normal on the 28th to above normal on the 30th.

A look ahead

May often brings a wide variety of weather conditions in the region, from warm, sunny days to severe thunderstorms and hail, and we are not done with snowfall. We can see very wet weather, sometimes heavy snow and other times our first 90 temperatures of the year. So be prepared for just about anything.

April 2024 Weather Statistics

Average High 56.9° (+0.4°)

Average Low 30.5° (+2.9°)

Highest Temperature 72° on the 14th

Lowest Temperature 19° on the 8th

Monthly Precipitation 1.84” (-1.22”, 38% below normal)

Monthly Snowfall 9.5” (-15.2”, 65% below normal)

Season to Date Snow 136.9” (+19.4”, 15% above normal) (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip. 7.23” (+1.03”, 15% above normal) (the precip season is from January 1 to December 31)

Heating Degree Days 640 (-49)

Cooling Degree Days 0

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other weather columns

• November Weather Wrap (12/5/2024)
• October Weather Wrap (11/2/2024)
• September Weather Wrap (10/5/2024)
• August Weather Wrap (9/7/2024)
• July Weather Wrap (8/3/2024)
• June Weather Wrap (7/6/2024)
• May Weather Wrap (6/1/2024)
• April Weather Wrap (5/4/2024)
• March Weather Wrap (4/6/2024)
• February Weather Wrap (3/2/2024)

• A look ahead
• March 2024 Weather Statistics

By Bill Kappel

March this year had its usual swings between winter and spring and was of course punctuated by a major snowstorm during the middle of the month. Temperatures were a little below average overall, but there were no real cold or warm periods. Precipitation and snowfall were above average again, which is good news because moisture during this time of the year is critical for the start of the growing season. After a slow start to the snowfall this season, we have managed to put three months in a row of above normal snowfall, bringing our seasonal total to above average and we still have another month or so of good snowfall potential.

The month started off mild, with highs reaching the upper 50s to low 60s, about 15-20 degrees warmer than normal for the start of March. This was interrupted by a quick-moving cold front that brought a dusting of snow and cooler temperatures on the 3rd and 4th. After a couple of dry days, another cold front moved in bringing a couple days of unsettled conditions. This produced a couple inches of snowfall along with a few rumbles of thunder on the 8th. This was our first sign of the changing seasons as we begin to see more convective activity in the atmosphere.

Quiet and mild conditions then moved back in over the next several days as the atmosphere began to build up moisture and energy ahead of an anomalously strong and unsettled pattern that would bring significant impacts to the region during the second week of the month.

This next storm was a combination of several unusual factors that normally don’t all come together at once over our region. First was a cold upper-level area of low pressure moving out of the Pacific Northwest and dropping south along the Intermountain West. At the same time, low-level wind fields began to draw in moisture from the southeast out of the Gulf of Mexico. And finally, a cold front began to slide down the Front Range of the Rockies. This combination of factors set the stage for a widespread, heavy snow event across the region.

The area of upper-level low pressure cut off from the main flows sat over northern Arizona/Southern Utah for several days, sending several waves of energy over the region to help enhance lift. This made very efficient work of the moisture that moved in from the Gulf of Mexico, and cold air ensured snow for the Palmer Divide. The first signs of the storm began during the late afternoon of the 13th, with scattered snow showers. Snow began to fall heavily later that evening, with several inches accumulating before midnight. Temperatures continued to cool as well, and winds kicked in. This produced heavy snow and strong winds, with blizzard conditions through the night and into to the next morning. Snowfall accumulated at rates of 2-3 inches per hour at times, with over a foot by the time the sun came up on the 14th.

Snow continued through the day and into the night, with another 8-12 inches accumulating before midnight. The storm finally began to wind down the next morning, leaving behind a winter wonderland. Around the Palmer Divide, anywhere from 20-30 inches of snow accumulated, causing travel issues and some fallen trees. But we didn’t get the worst of it. In the foothills, 40-60 inches accumulated, making this the largest snowfall since our infamous March 2003 storm. See the photo on page 24.

Of course, the good news with this storm was the beneficial moisture that it left behind, with 2-3 inches of liquid equivalent that slowly melted into the soil over the next couple weeks.

Mostly sunny conditions and quiet weather moved back in from the 16th through the 23rd, and the strong March sun angle began the process of melting the snow a few inches each day. By the time the last storm of the month moved in on the 24th, most of the snowfall from the previous event had melted away. The exceptions were the large drifts and piles in the shaded and forested regions. This final storm was colder than previous storms and produced more wind and blowing snow, but because it was colder it did not have as much moisture to work with. Therefore, only 2-6 inches of new snow fell throughout the region on the 24th and 25th.

Once again, the springtime atmosphere was unstable as well, producing some thundersnow and graupel during the afternoon of the 24th. This was further evidenced by the convective snow showers that developed during the afternoon of the 26th behind the departing storm, very reminiscent of summer thunderstorms developing over the mountains and moving off the Front Range and over the Palmer Divide, only this time of the year they produce snow instead of rain.

After this last storm departed, mild air and quiet conditions again returned. The month ended with temperatures moving from the 40s to the upper 50s and low 60s along with gusty winds at times.

A look ahead

April is known for a wide range of weather conditions in the region and is on average our snowiest month of the year. We can see 70° temperatures one afternoon and blizzard conditions the next. Several recent years have seen over 50 inches of snow accumulate during the month. Of course, it also melts very quickly, often adding beneficial moisture to the soil and helping the vegetation, which is just getting started.

March 2024 Weather Statistics

Average High 47.6° (-4.4°)

100-year return frequency value max 57.9° min 38.0°

Average Low 23.0° (+1.4°)

100-year return frequency value max 27.0° min 12.0°

Highest Temperature 60° on the 2nd

Lowest Temperature 8° on the 28th

Monthly Precipitation 2.35” (+0.75”, 32% above normal)

100-year return frequency value max 4.29” min 0.22”

Monthly Snowfall 37.9” (+17.6”, 47% above normal)
Season to Date Snow 127.4” (+36.6”, 29% above normal)
(the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip. 5.39” (+2.15”, 40% above normal)
(the precip season is from Oct 1 to Sept 30)

Heating Degree Days 922(+9)

Cooling Degree Days 0

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappell@ocn.me.

Other weather articles

• November Weather Wrap (12/5/2024)
• October Weather Wrap (11/2/2024)
• September Weather Wrap (10/5/2024)
• August Weather Wrap (9/7/2024)
• July Weather Wrap (8/3/2024)
• June Weather Wrap (7/6/2024)
• May Weather Wrap (6/1/2024)
• April Weather Wrap (5/4/2024)
• March Weather Wrap (4/6/2024)
• February Weather Wrap (3/2/2024)

• A look ahead
• February 2024 Weather Statistics

By Bill Kappel

February was warm and wet, with overall moisture values coming in greater than the 100-year recurrence interval. In other words, there was less than a 1% chance in any given February that we would receive as much moisture as we did last month. These higher levels of moisture available also meant temperatures were warm as the origin of most of the storms that came through was the Pacific Ocean and not the Arctic. Lows never dipped below zero for us during the month.

Another benefit of the numerous storms moving through from the west/northwest was the amount of snow that accumulated in the mountains. This brought snowpack levels up to average by the end of the month. This pattern is typical of an El Niño winter overall for most of Colorado, so the mild and wet conditions were expected.

The Palmer Divide region was affected by a new storm about once per week. The first one moved through on the 2nd and 3rd. This storm was of sub-tropical Pacific origins and was therefore very mild for early February. In fact, the storms started out with a little rain/snow mix during the afternoon of the 2nd before everything turned into a heavy, wet snow. This was more like April than February. Heavy snow quickly accumulated along the higher elevations of the Palmer Divide, with amounts quickly falling off in lower elevations. New snow amounts ranged from 3-12 inches with high variability over short distances.

Mild air moved in behind this system, with highs reaching into the 50s by the 6th ahead of another active system which began to affect the region on the 9th. This storm moved in from the northwest and therefore was cooler than the previous storm. This meant all snow and blowing snow. Snow fell heaviest on the 10th, with 8-12 inches accumulating. This left behind a good snowpack across the area, and clearing skies on the 11th allowed temperatures to drop to the single digits.

A week of quiet weather moved in from the 11th to the 15th, with temperatures warming to the upper 40s and low 50s by the end of the period. A weak cold front brought light snow and cool temperatures on the 16th and 17th, with 1-3 inches of new snow around the region.

Temperatures then warmed again over the next few days, reaching the mid- to upper 50s from the 19th through the 21st. A very quick cool down accompanied by a spring-like pattern produced a few snow showers and even a few rumbles of thunder on the 22nd. Sunny and mild conditions quickly returned with highs back into the mid- to upper 50s from the 24th though 26th, helped with gusty westerly winds at times.

One final cold front moved through on the 27th, with a quick shot of snow that afternoon and evening into early on the 28th. This brought temperatures back to below normal levels to end the month.

A look ahead

March is known for a wide range of weather conditions in the region. We can see 70° temperatures one afternoon and blizzard conditions the next. Many of us remember the blizzard of March 2003 when we received 30-50 inches of snowfall that shut down the region. However, snow that does fall begins to melt quickly this time of the year, providing beneficial moisture for our plants as we head into spring.

February 2024 Weather Statistics

Average High 43.9° (+4.2°) 100-year return frequency value max 51.9° min 32.8°

Average Low 19.2° (+6.4°) 100-year return frequency value max 21.9° min 3.7°

Highest Temperature 59° on the 26th

Lowest Temperature 7° on the 11th

Monthly Precipitation 2.25” (+1.31” 240% above normal) 100-year return frequency value max 2.10” min 0.02”

Monthly Snowfall 31.9” (+14.1”, 80% above normal)

Season to Date Snow 90.0” (+19.5”, 27% above normal)

Season to Date Precip. 3.16” (+1.51”, 200% above normal)

Heating Degree Days 971 (+67)

Cooling Degree Days 0

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other Weather articles

• November Weather Wrap (12/5/2024)
• October Weather Wrap (11/2/2024)
• September Weather Wrap (10/5/2024)
• August Weather Wrap (9/7/2024)
• July Weather Wrap (8/3/2024)
• June Weather Wrap (7/6/2024)
• May Weather Wrap (6/1/2024)
• April Weather Wrap (5/4/2024)
• March Weather Wrap (4/6/2024)
• February Weather Wrap (3/2/2024)

• A look ahead
• January 2024 Weather Statistics

By Bill Kappel

For the second consecutive year, temperatures were below normal and precipitation was above normal in 2023. This continued the trend around the Palmer Divide so far this winter and hopefully will continue into spring. The month started off warmer than normal and ended warmer than normal, but most days in between were cold and unsettled.

After a quiet first three days of the month, a period of cool and snowy conditions moved in. This produced measurable snowfall each day from the 4th through the 8th. During the period snow wasn’t continuous but off and on each day, accumulating 6-10 inches for most of us.

In the middle of the month, a strong blast of Arctic air invaded the region and most of the country. High temperatures reached 40F on the afternoon of the 9th, but that was the last time we reached above freezing until noon on the 16th. This is an extremely long time frame for us as even in very cold outbreaks we usually scour out the cold air within a few days and westerly, warming winds kick in.

However, this time, the cold air mass was deeper than normal and had a couple of reinforcing surges. Westerly winds never materialized until the end of the event. Temperatures reached the teens and 20 below zero on five consecutive nights from the 13th through the 18th. During the period, snowfall wasn’t heavy, partly because the air was so cold, but we managed to pick up 2-4 inches over the period.

Mild conditions moved in quickly behind the departing cold air, with highs reaching into the mid- and upper 40s on the 17th and 18th. A quick shot of cold air and light snow moved in overnight on the 18th and kept temperatures cold on the 20th with highs in the low 20s. Once again, mild conditions moved in quickly, with high temperatures 30 degrees warmer than the day before, hitting the low 50s. Temperatures remained slightly warmer than normal over the next week, with highs in the 40s each afternoon from the 21st through the 25th.

The final storm of the month began to affect the region during the early evening of the 25th. However, this storm was of Pacific Ocean origins, and this meant relatively mild conditions. Temperatures were only slightly below freezing during the event, producing heavy, wet snowfall that felt more like April than January. The relatively warmer air mass was also able to hold higher levels of moisture, and this resulted in some quick accumulations, with the storm producing 4-7 inches from the evening of the 25th through the morning of the 26th. After this system departed, mild temperatures returned to the region to end the month. Highs moved through the 40s on the 27th to the 50s from the 28th through the 31st, a bit of a January thaw before we head into our snowiest months of winter.

A look ahead

February is often a transition month as we move from the dry and cold conditions in December and January toward relatively warmer and wetter conditions of March and April. Precipitation averages around an inch with just over 20 inches of snow expected and average high temperatures in the 30s. It can get very cold in February with Arctic air making brief pushes into the region. However, days begin to get a little longer, which leads to some nice, sunny days, and the snow that does fall begins to melt faster.

January 2024 Weather Statistics

Average High 40.1° (-°) 100-year return frequency value max 48.4° min 30.8°

Average Low 13.4° (-0.2°) 100-year return frequency value max 26.6° min 6.6°

Highest Temperature 58° on the 14th

Lowest Temperature -21° on the 15th

Monthly Precipitation 0.91” (+0.28” 39% above normal) 100-year return frequency value max 1.56” min 0.01”

Monthly Snowfall 16.4” (+”, 10% below normal)

Season to Date Snow 58.1” (+5.3”, 10% above normal) (the snow season is from Oct 1 to Sept 30)

Season to Date Precip. 0.91” (+0.20”, 22% above normal) (the precipitation season, Jan 1 to Dec 31)

Heating Degree Days 1257 (+160) 1097

Cooling Degree Days 0

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other xxx articles

• November Weather Wrap (12/5/2024)
• October Weather Wrap (11/2/2024)
• September Weather Wrap (10/5/2024)
• August Weather Wrap (9/7/2024)
• July Weather Wrap (8/3/2024)
• June Weather Wrap (7/6/2024)
• May Weather Wrap (6/1/2024)
• April Weather Wrap (5/4/2024)
• March Weather Wrap (4/6/2024)
• February Weather Wrap (3/2/2024)