According to the most recent map published by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) on Nov. 3, all of Archuleta County is drought-free.
The USDM also indicates that the county was drought-free on Oct. 27.
This comes after more than 9 inches of rain fell across the county from Oct. 22 through Nov. 3, which caused two historic flooding events.
According to data entered into the Community Collaborative, Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRHaS), some areas of Archuleta County reported upwards of 11 inches of rain during that time period. Additional precipitation data can be viewed at https://maps.cocorahs.org.
According to the USDM, Archuleta County went from having 100 percent of the county in a stage one moderate drought on Oct. 13 to being drought-free by Oct. 27.
Archuleta County is one of eight southwestern Colorado counties that became 100 percent drought-free during that time, with multiple other counties left with slight portions in an “abnormally dry” stage.
Forecast
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), sunny skies and mild temperatures are expected around Pagosa Country today, Nov. 12, and tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 13.
Starting on Friday night there is a chance of showers in Pagosa Springs with a low of 30 degrees.
For Saturday, Nov. 14, the high is forecast at 46 degrees with a 90 percent chance of rain and snow showers throughout the day. Rain and snow showers are likely to continue throughout the night, with a low of 27 degrees forecast.
For Sunday, Nov.15, the high is forecast at 48 degrees with partly sunny skies as no more precipitation is in the forecast again until early next week, on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Colder temperatures and higher snow amounts are expected along Wolf Creek Pass over the weekend following sunny skies and temperatures around 40 degrees on Thursday and Friday.
According to the NWS, there is a 30 percent chance of snow showers along the pass Friday night, Nov. 13, with a low of 27 degrees forecast.
For Saturday, Nov. 14, the high is forecast at 30 degrees with a 90 percent chance of snow showers, which are likely to continue into the night with a low of 22 degrees.
For Sunday, Nov. 15, the high is forecast at 34 degrees with mostly sunny skies.
According to a forecast by Shawn Prochazka with Pagosa Weather on Nov. 10, he indicates that 2 to 4 inches of snow accumulation is possible in the mountains and that Pagosa Springs could receive its first “measurable” snow of the season.
Prochazka also notes that the upcoming storm looks like a “typical” fall storm for the area.
“I do not expect another flooding event,” Prochazka wrote.
According to a weather outlook released by the Grand Junction NWS office on Nov. 11, a low pressure system will approach from the west this weekend and, as it approaches, “moisture-rich southwesterly flow will produce mountain snow (above 8,000-9,000 feet) and valley rain.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
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