Pagosa Weather APRIL SUMMARY & May Outlook

Cooler temps and above average precip in April has preserved the little snowpack we have left.

Cooler temps and above average precip in April has preserved the little snowpack we have left.

Sunday – 2 May 2026 – 2:30pm

April Summary…

The average high for April is 59 and the average low is 24. The record high of 81 occurred on 30 Apr 1981. The record low of -4 occurred on 1 Apr 1980. Precip in Apr averages 1.38″ and the average snowfall is 5.5″. Wolf Creek Pass averages 3.42″ of precip and 44.8″ of snow.

At Stevens Field the highest temp was 71 on 21 Apr and the lowest temp was 15 on 18 Apr. There were 10 days with winds at or over 30mph. The highest wind was 40mph on 1 Apr.

How did we do?

April mean temperature anomalies across much of Archuleta County were 1-3 degrees above average.
April mean temperature anomalies across much of Archuleta County were 1-3 degrees above average.
April mean precip anomalies – much of Archuleta County got 110-150% of average.
April mean precip anomalies – much of Archuleta County got 110-150% of average.
CoCoRaHS precip totals ranged from 1.82″ to 2.77″. All locations were above the average of 1.38″.
CoCoRaHS precip totals ranged from 1.82″ to 2.77″. All locations were above the average of 1.38″.
CoCoRaHS snow totals ranged from zero to 7″. Most locations got less than a half inch of snow.
CoCoRaHS snow totals ranged from zero to 7″. Most locations got less than a half inch of snow.
Total precip for 2026 is 4.7″ – 65% of the average of 7.25″.
Total precip for 2026 is 4.7″ – 65% of the average of 7.25″.
Pagosa area snowfall is at 37% of the average of 100.3″ for this point of the season.
Pagosa area snowfall is at 37% of the average of 100.3″ for this point of the season.
Wolf Creek Ski Area last day was 5 Apr. I estimated April snowfall based on snotel data. They got around 46" of snow and ended April 51% of their seasonal snowfall.
Wolf Creek Ski Area’s last day was 5 Apr.
I estimated April snowfall based on snotel data. They got around 46″ of snow and ended April with 51% of their seasonal snowfall.

Snowpack, drought, and river levels…

Snowpack is well below average for much of the western US. On 1 May the Upper San Juan snotel is at 1% of the seasonal median and the Wolf Creek Summit snotel is at 33%
Snowpack is well below average for much of the western US.
On 1 May the Upper San Juan snotel is at 1% of the seasonal median and the Wolf Creek Summit snotel is at 33%
Drought conditions improved a little for western Archuleta County but got a little worse for much of Colorado. The US drought map on the right shows that much of the US is experiencing drought conditions.
Drought conditions improved a little for western Archuleta County but got a little worse for much of Colorado.
The US drought map on the right shows that much of the US is experiencing drought conditions.
Record warmth in March melted most of the meager snowpack and river flow peaked early. In April river flow dropped below the mean the second half of the month.
Record warmth in March melted most of the meager snowpack and river flow peaked early. In April river flow dropped below the mean the second half of the month.

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. Precip in May averages 1.26″ and the average snowfall is 1.1″. Wolf Creek Pass averages 2.05″ of precip and 12.9″ of snow.

The CPC temp outlook for May on the left shows a 40-50% chance for above average temps. The precip outlook on the right shows equal chances for average precip.
The CPC temp outlook for May on the left shows a 40-50% chance for above average temps.
The precip outlook on the right shows equal chances for average precip.
Euro ensemble precip on the left expects 1.81″ for May and the GFS ensemble precip on the right expects 3.08″. Both models expect much more than the average of 1.26″. Last month the Euro was around 0.50" to high and the GFS was around 1.20" to high.
Euro ensemble precip on the left expects 1.81″ for May and the GFS ensemble precip on the right expects 3.08″. Both models expect more than the average of 1.26″. Last month the Euro was around 0.50″ too high and the GFS was around 1.20″ too high.

Arleen’s May outlook…

image 3

April was fun! It was a nice change to have above average precipitation.

Right now, the Arctic oscillation is neutral and the MJO is weak and neither are players. The Enso is still neutral, though warming. May will continue to be active before drying out for most of the mid month. It will be active again at the end of the month.

May’s average precip is only 1.26” but I don’t see any significant storms. I expect May to have less than average precip. If systems towards the end of the month overproduce, precip will be closer to average. Temperatures in May will be about average.

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!

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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!
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