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)
- March Weather Wrap (4/6/2024)
- February Weather Wrap (3/2/2024)
- January Weather Wrap (2/3/2024)