In spite of a dry January, snowpack is still decent
Monday – 31 Jan 2022 – 6:30pm
January 2022 Summary…
The average low for January is 2 and the average high is 37. The record high of 59 occurred on 1 Jan 1981. The record low of -42 occurred on 13 Jan 1963. January precip averages 2.08″ with 30.4″ of snow. Wolf Creek averages 76.1″ of snow in January and 236″ to this point in the season.
How did we do? Check out these charts…





Note… CoCoRaHS observations are used by numerous agencies. Data is hit and miss or nonexistent in town, Arboles, Chama, and Dulce. To learn more about this important program, please go to this link: CoCoRaHS
Snowpack update…



Drought update…

February outlook…
The average low for February is 9 and the average high is 42. The record high of 60 occurred on 27 Feb 1988. The record low of -39 occurred on 1 Feb 1916. February precip averages 2.02″ with 23.1″ of snow. Wolf Creek averages 68.7″ of snow in February and 304.7″ to this point in the season.
And here’s the outlook…



The system on the 1st and 2nd will take direct aim at Colorado and then it’s quiet until the middle of the month. During the second half of the month we’re in between so it could go either way. I’d much rather see an in-between pattern than an inactive one!
And what do we expect?
Well Arleen is the expert and this is what she says…
“Except for the 1st and 2nd, the first half of February will be quiet due to the influence of La Nina. The equatorial waters are warming due to a few different reasons but it points to the weakening of the La Nina – good news for us. Expect a more active second half of February as we begin to move into a neutral ENSO state. At the same time the MJO, which is currently weak, will begin to strengthen and will move back into stage 7 by the last week of February – more good news for us. And we’re still looking for an arctic outbreak that could really help out in storm formations. With a good start the first few days of February and a few good storms towards the end of February, I expect average precipitation.“
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PagosaWeather.org The Trusted Local Experts
- Shawn