We're nearing the end of January and in many areas, snowfall this season has been seriously lacking compared to normal.
This time last year in Colorado Springs, we'd already seen more than 2 feet of snow.
In contrast, this season we've only collected 13.5" of snow. With La Nina sticking around, the potential for this to end as a below average season is pretty likely.
Looking at snowfall totals from the past decade, we can see that last year was the highest, with a whopping 56.1" at the Colorado Springs Airport.
The lowest season dates back to 2017-18, when only 21.6" of snow fell.
The average per season in Colorado Springs is 33.0".
Although Pueblo has seen a slightly better start to the season than Colorado Springs, past seasons indicate more dry years on average than snowy years.
Our driest came during the 2017-18 season, and our snowiest during the 2015-16 season.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows ongoing drought conditions for Southern Colorado.
In Pueblo County, the drought is at its worst along and north of the Arkansas River, with areas of Extreme Drought in northern parts of the county.
Colorado Springs is currently in the Extreme Drought category, with Monument and Castle Rock experiencing Exceptional Drought conditions.
Such high drought levels usually have negative consequences heading into the summer, with the potential for larger and more destructive wildfires.
