Pagosa Weather APRIL SUMMARY & May Outlook

Snowpack is in bad shape for most of the Four Corners region

Snowpack is in bad shape for most of the Four Corners region

Friday – 2 May 2025 – 6:45pm

April Summary…

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. April precip averages 1.38″ and average snowfall is 5.5″. Wolf Creek Pass averages 3.42″ of precip and 44.8″ snow.

At Stevens Field the highest temp was 72 on 10 and 11 Apr and the lowest temp was 10 on 2 Apr. There were 12 days with winds at or over 30mph. The strongest wind was 45mph on 1 May.

How did we do?

April mean temperature anomalies across much of Archuleta County were near to 3 degrees above average.
April mean temperature anomalies across much of Archuleta County were near to 3 degrees above average.
April mean precip anomalies were 70-90% of average for most of Archuleta County.
April mean precip anomalies were 70-90% of average for most of Archuleta County.
CoCoRaHS precip totals ranged from 0.70″ to 1.39″. Four locations were near the average of 1.38″.
CoCoRaHS precip totals ranged from 0.70″ to 1.39″. Four locations were near the average of 1.38″.
Total precip so far for 2025 is 3.58″ – 49% of the average of 7.25″ for this point of the year
Total precip so far for 2025 is 3.58″ – 49% of the average of 7.25″ for this point of the year
CoCoRaHS snow totals ranged from 5.3″ to 15.4″. 12 out of 13 locations were above the average of 5.5″.
CoCoRaHS snow totals ranged from 5.3″ to 15.4″. 12 out of 13 locations were above the average of 5.5″.
We’ve received 43.1″ of snowfall this winter – just 43% of the average of 100.3″
We’ve received 43.1″ of snowfall this winter – just 43% of the average of 100.3″

Wolf Creek Ski Area got 26″ of snow by the time they closed on 6 April. They ended the season with 228".
Wolf Creek Ski Area got 26″ of snow by the time they closed on 6 April. They ended the season with 228″.

Snowpack, Drought, and River levels…

Current snowpack percent of median. The Upper San Juan snotel is at 0% of the seasonal median and the Wolf Creek Summit snotel is at 31%
Current snowpack percent of median.
The Upper San Juan snotel is at 0% of the seasonal median and the Wolf Creek Summit snotel is at 31%
Archuleta County has “severe drought” conditions and our San Juan Mountains have “extreme drought” conditions. The US drought map on the bottom shows that much of the country is experiencing drought conditions.
Archuleta County has “severe drought” conditions and our San Juan Mountains have “extreme drought” conditions.
The US drought map on the bottom shows that much of the country is experiencing drought conditions.

San Juan River levels for this April are in blue and last April's is in brown.
San Juan River levels for this April are in blue and last April’s is in brown.

May Outlook…

The average high for May is 68 and the average low is 30. 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″ and average snowfall is 1.1″. Wolf Creek Pass averages 2.05″ of precip and 12.9″ snow.

The CPC temp outlook for May on the left equal chances for average temps. The precip outlook on the right shows a 33-40% chance for above average precip.
The CPC temp outlook for May on the left shows equal chances for average temps.
The precip outlook on the right shows a 33-40% chance for above average precip.
Euro ensemble precip on the left expects 2.38″ of precip for May and the GFS ensemble precip on the right expects 2.70″ – Both models expect more than the average of 1.26″.
Euro ensemble precip on the left expects 2.38″ of precip for May and the GFS ensemble precip on the right expects 2.70″ – Both models expect more than the average of 1.26″.

And what do we expect?

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

Arleen Prochazka

May is the second driest month of the year averaging just 1.26″. This May will be a story of the first half of the month versus the second half.

Another cutoff low will bring moisture and cooler temperatures to our area. We’ll get a typical May’s worth of precip in just the first 10-14 days of the month. Some folks will even see a few snowflakes at night. The average snow for Wolf Creek Pass in May is 12.9″. I expect that area to get more snow than average.

After the middle of the month, things will flat-line with only a few days with isolated rain showers.

And for temps… The first half of the month, temperatures will be below average. However, they will be above average the second half of the month.

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

Pagosa Weather Blizzard Level Sponsor

Ski & bow rack logo with an archer
Pagosa Weather Snowman Level Sponsors
Pagosa Weather Snowball Level Sponsors

Pagosa Weather Storm Sponsor

The Springs Resort logo
Picture of Shawn Pro

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!
Categories

2 Responses

  1. Great summary and upcoming prediction for the upcoming month. Thanks. If you want to get together again for lunch or a dinner around town let me know. Thanks for the lunch at Two Chicks. Tell Arleen hello from me.

    Reply

    1. Good Morning Kenny! Yes, we would love to get together again with you some day. We really enjoyed our lunch with you. – Arleen

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Support Pagosa Weather

Contact Us

Pagosa Weather Disclaimer and Release of Liability

This website makes no guarantees about nor bears any responsibility or liability concerning the accuracy or timeliness of the weather information published on this website. All weather information published on this website is for educational and weather enthusiast purposes only. We do not issue Storm Watches, Warnings or Advisories as that ability falls with the National Weather Service, who is the only institution allowed to issue such warnings by law. We are not in any way linked nor affiliated with the National Weather Service, although we do share information and relay weather watches/ warnings, etc. Use of the information on page is at your own risk/discretion, and we are not responsible for any personal/property damages, injury or death associated with weather forecasts, reports or other information as well as communication exchanged in private messages and/or person.

Terms of Use                  Privacy Policy

© 2026 Pagosa Weather 

Website Design by : Brandon