Colorado Springs weather: Temperature record could fall on Tuesday
A temperature record could fall on Tuesday as Colorado Springs returns to springlike weather conditions, according to Gazette news partner KOAA.
“The calendar says February – but it will feel like May on Tuesday in southern Colorado,” said Casey Dorn, a News 5 meteorologist.
Tuesday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 72 degrees, which, if reached, would be a record high for Feb. 24 in Colorado Springs. The current record for the date is 71 degrees, set in 1986, according to National Weather Service data.
Warm and dry conditions, plus winds that could gust as high as 35 mph, equals fire danger, the weather agency said. A red flag warning will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, the sixth such warning in southern Colorado this month.
“The last time there were 6 or more Red Flag Warning days in southern Colorado in February was in 2017, when there were 10,” Dorn said.
Meanwhile, some of Colorado’s mountains and passes are expected to get fresh snow between Tuesday and Thursday, according to the Weather Service. Areas expecting snow include:
- Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park (8-11 inches);
- U.S. 40’s Berthoud Pass near Winter Park (8-13 inches);
- Cameron Pass near Fort Collins (13-18 inches);
- Mount Zirkel (19-30 inches).
Weather Service Meteorologist Kyle Mozley, based in Pueblo, said snow totals are still far below normal for this time of year.
“Right now we’re still way behind where we need to be,” Mozley said. “The Rio Grande basin is currently at 60% of normal. The Upper Arkansas, which had a little bit of snow, is at about 50% of normal. Other areas are also struggling.”
Here is the rest of the week’s forecast from the National Weather Service:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70 degrees. Breezy, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 5-10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. West wind 5-10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. South-southwest winds 5-10 mph.