Pagosa Weather MARCH SUMMARY & April Outlook

Snowpack across Colorado and the Four Corners region is in good shape

Tuesday – 2 April 2024 – 8:00am

March Summary…

The average high for March is 49 and the average low is 15. The record high of 73 occurred on 19 March 1907. The record low of -25 occurred on 1 March 1913. Precip averages 1.77″ in March with 15.1″ of snow. Wolf Creek Pass averages 4.90″ of precip and 75.7″ of snow.

The observed high temperature at Stevens Field for March was 57 on 22 Mar and the observed low temperature was 20 on 5 Mar.

How did we do?

***March mean temperature anomalies for most of Archuleta County were average while the temps in the mountains were 1-3 degrees above normal.***

March mean precip anomalies were 130-150% of average for most of Archuleta County. — ***March mean precip anomalies were 130-150% of average for most of Archuleta County***.

***CoCoRaHS precip totals ranged from 0.88″ to 2.30″. 13 out of 17 locations measured more than the average of 1.77″.***

***We got 5.81″ of precip so far in 2024 – near the average of 5.87″***

***CoCoRaHS snow totals ranged from 7.6″ to 25.3″. 8 out of 14 locations reported more than the average of 15.1″.***

We’ve received 70.3″ of snowfall so far this year – well below the average of 94.8″ — ***We’ve received 70.3″ of snowfall so far this year*** – ***well below the average of 94.8″***

Wolf Creek Ski Area got 68″ of snow in March – 7″ less than average.
So far this season 306″ has fallen – 74″ less than average — ***Wolf Creek Ski Area got 68″ of snow in March – 7″ less than average.***
***So far this season 306″ has fallen – 74″ less than average***

Snowpack and Drought…

***Colorado snowpack on the left and West US on the right on 31 March 2024***

The Upper San Juan snotel is 92% of average for the date and 84% of average for the season. Wolf Creek Summit is 100% of average for the date and 80% for the season. Vallecito and Weminuche Creek at 115% and 118% of their season snowpack! — ***The Upper San Juan snotel is 92% of average for the date and 84% of average for the season. Wolf Creek Summit is 100% of average for the date and 80% for the season***.

***Vallecito and Weminuche Creek are at 115% and 118% of their season snowpack!***

***Most of Archuleta County is considered “abnormally dry”.***

April outlook…

The average high for April is 59 and the average low is 24. The record high of 81 occurred on 30 April 1981. The record low of -4 occurred on 1 April 1980. Precip averages 1.38″ in April with 6.3″ of snow. Wolf Creek Pass averages 3.42″ of precip and 44.8″ of snow.

The CPC temp outlook for April on the left expects “equal chances” for average temps.
The precip outlook on the right is “leaning” towards above average precip. — ***The CPC temp outlook for April on the left expects “equal chances” for average temps.***
***The precip outlook on the right is “leaning” towards above average precip.***

***Euro ensemble precip on the left expects 2.42″ of precip for April and the GFS ensemble precip on the right expects 3.37″ – both are above the average of 1.38″.***

And what do we expect?

Arleen is the expert, and this is what she says…

The first 10 days of the month will remain active. Spring will be here for the ten days after that – the middle of the month will be gorgeous spring weather – blue skies with above average temperatures.! Then, expect a good wet system to move through the third week of April. Average precip for April is only 1.38″. I expect above average precip for the month, though less than average of 6″ of snow, and average temperatures.

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!

Shawn

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Shawn Pro

I’ve been a “weather geek” since I was young child. I joined the military out of high school and was lucky to get my dream job in weather. I have 20 years of military weather experience which includes forecasting the weather all over the world. Highlights were six years in Alaska and making life and death weather decisions during deployments. I love mountains, I love snow, and I love summertime thunderstorms. I spend a bunch of time playing outdoors and found my paradise in Pagosa Springs. I do Pagosa Weather as a community service. Hopefully you find us helpful!

One Response

D. Olson says:

April 2, 2024 at 3:29 pm

WOW, huge shout out to all the comparison graphics and recap of March!! SOOOOO GOOD!!!!! This one is a keeper!
Dawn Olson

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