Drought conditions are getting worse across southwest Colorado
Wednesday – 1 June – 8:45am
May 2022 Summary…
The average low for May is 30 and the average high is 68. The record high of 89 occurred on 30 May 1910. The record low of 8 occurred on 1 May 1967. May precip averages 1.26″ with 1.1″ of snow. Wolf Creek Pass averages 2.05″ of liquid equivalent, 12.09″ of snow in May and 437.4″ for the season.
How did we do? Check out these charts…




Drought and River Flow…



June 2022 Outlook…
The average low for June is 36 and the average high is 78. The record high of 101 occurred on 30 June 1934. The record low of 20 occurred on 2 June 1908. Historically June is our driest month with 0.93″ precip and 0″ of snow. Wolf Creek Pass averages 1.74″ of liquid equivalent and 1.2″ of snow.



And what do we expect?
Well Arleen is the expert and this is what she says…
The focus of the June Outlook is whether the monsoon will set up or not. The MJO is active and in a favorable zone but the storm track is too far north for us. Temperatures in northern Mexico, southern Arizona, and southern New Mexico are heating up and will be in the 100 degree range this week. In response the 500MB ridge (around 18,000ft high) will start to build over the next few weeks. Southern Arizona will see the first sputters of the monsoon the third week in June. We’ll be dry the next three weeks with only the possibility for a few isolated thunderstorms a few times. Finally, the last week in June we should see an impact from the monsoon and some widespread showers and thunderstorms that will bring welcome relief.
*** Fire danger will increase. We’re dry and will get more dry over the next 3 weeks. Spotty thunderstorms could spark new fires. If you see lightning or hear thunder, keep an eye out for smoke, not just the day it happens, but also the next few days afterwards too. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you spot smoke. ***
We’ll try to stay optimistic! Keep in mind that most precip through the summer is convective which is highly variable. One slow moving thunderstorm can drop a month’s worth of rain over a few lucky spots. Let’s hope for a few of those slow movers!
A HUGE thanks for your precip reports and pictures! Reports help verify our forecasts and make us better forecasters.
Another HUGE thanks to our donors and sponsors! You help cover the cost of this web page and our weather subscriptions, necessary to provide you accurate weather reports!
And if you’re curious about us, check out this excellent video by Matt Martin. We are humbled and honored that he used his talent and time to spotlight Pagosa Weather!
- Shawn
2 Responses
THANKS for all the info. and hard work to keep us informed!!
My pleasure Richard!