Above-average temperatures are expected to persist this week in Southwest Colorado with little chance for relief from monsoonal moisture, according to a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
High temperatures reached the upper 90s to start the week but are expected to cool into the low 90s beginning Wednesday with potential for dry thunderstorms Wednesday night and Thursday.
Cortez is expected to remain in the mid to upper 90s this week, while Pagosa Springs had a high of 96 on Monday but will continue to cool off throughout the week.
National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Aleksa said the monsoons appear to be late to arrive this year in Southwest Colorado.
“Right now, there’s a greater probability of below-normal precipitation for areas of Arizona, western New Mexico, southern Utah and Southwest Colorado, which would be kind of the heart of where the monsoonal moisture typically resides,” Aleksa said.
Storms have materialized in the northwest part of the state, but Aleksa is not optimistic monsoon moisture will arrive this month in Durango. He said if rains do arrive, they will begin near the end of July in the high country.
“Most of the activity is really focused in areas north of I-70. So that leaves Southwest Colorado, the Four Corners, out of the potential for seeing any kind of storms,” Aleksa said.
As of Tuesday, the entire state was considered out of drought status, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect throughout La Plata County.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
