2011-08-29_REVISION - M1986015 (11)

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• • • Snowfall Snow fall in Pueblo is light when compared to other communities along the east side of the Rocky Mountains. In general, snowfall is less south of the Palmer Divide which extends from the mountain front eastward into the plains. This divide tends to block moisture flowing in from the north during winter. Also, the characteristic weather patterns in winter produce a strong low pressure cell over southeastern Colorado. This tends to create strong up slope conditions in northeastern Colorado but down slope conditions in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Thus, both Colorado Springs and Pueblo receive considerably less snow on average than Denver. Much of the winter snow in Pueblo is a dry, powder snow that contains very little moisture and usually sublimates rather than melting. Thus during the winter months moisture, although it falls, is very low. This contributes to a winter drought pattern in most years. In contrast, Autumn and Spring snows tend to be much wetter, even slushy, and therefore can contribute to soil moisture reserves. 5 Normal Monthly Snowfall Pueblo 7 6 t j 5 I I , ! ! 3 2 U -- — ! i — I Jan Feb Mat Ap May Jun Jul Np Sep Oct Nov Dec • • • Snowfall Snow fall in Pueblo is light when compared to other communities along the east side of the Rocky Mountains. In general, snowfall is less south of the Palmer Divide which extends from the mountain front eastward into the plains. This divide tends to block moisture flowing in from the north during winter. Also, the characteristic weather patterns in winter produce a strong low pressure cell over southeastern Colorado. This tends to create strong up slope conditions in northeastern Colorado but down slope conditions in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Thus, both Colorado Springs and Pueblo receive considerably less snow on average than Denver. Much of the winter snow in Pueblo is a dry, powder snow that contains very little moisture and usually sublimates rather than melting. Thus during the winter months moisture, although it falls, is very low. This contributes to a winter drought pattern in most years. In contrast, Autumn and Spring snows tend to be much wetter, even slushy, and therefore can contribute to soil moisture reserves. 5