Pagosa Country experienced record high temperatures over the last week, with new records being set for Dec. 12 and 13.
According to a Pagosa Weather forecast by Shawn Prochazka, the previous record high in Pagosa Springs for Dec. 12 was set in 1934 at 55 degrees, which was broken this year with a high temperature of 57 degrees.
The previous record high for Dec. 13 was set in 1929 at 54 degrees, which was broken this year with a high temperature of 55 degrees.
Forecast
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), warm and dry weather is expected to continue in Pagosa County through the weekend and into next week with no precipitation in the five-day forecast.
Other forecasts show potential moisture beginning around Christmas.
According to Prochazka, the next chance for snow in Pagosa Country is Christmas night through Dec. 27, with initial totals in the mountains forecasted at 8 to 16 inches for that time period. Up to an inch is expected in areas below 8,000 feet for that time period.
Prochazka notes that both the timing and snow amounts “will continue to change as the storm gets closer and the data gets better.”
According to the NWS, sunny and clear skies are expected for today, Thursday, Dec. 18, with a high of 52 degrees and a low of 20 degrees tonight.
On Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20, the high is forecast to be 55 degrees with sunny skies and lows of 23 and 24 degrees, respectively.
The high for Sunday, Dec. 21, is forecast to be 54 degrees with clear skies and a low of 25 degrees that night.
Monday, Dec. 22, and Tuesday, Dec. 23, are expected to have highs of 57 degrees with mostly clear skies and lows around 24 degrees.
According to AccuWeather, there is a 30 percent chance of an icy mix, turning to snow and sleet, on Christmas, Dec. 25. The following day, Dec. 26, there is a 55 percent chance of afternoon rain in Pagosa Springs.
Similar weather is expected along Wolf Creek Pass and at Wolf Creek Ski Area this weekend, with the NWS forecasting high temperatures ranging from 32 degrees to 36 degrees and lows ranging from 22 to 25 degrees.
High winds are also expected with gusts ranging from 15 mph up to 45 mph over the weekend, as well.
Sunny skies and highs near 37 degrees are forecast for Monday, Dec. 22, and Tuesday, Dec. 23, along Wolf Creek Pass.
Ski area
As of press time Wednesday, the ski area reported a midway base depth of 26 inches with 100 percent of terrain open.
The Meadow and Spur Loop Nordic trails are also open, and were last groomed on Dec. 12.
The ski area reports a season-to-date snowfall of 58 inches.
Drought
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s most recent map released on Dec. 11, 82.82 percent of Archuleta County is free of drought, with 17.18 percent being in an abnormally dry stage, which is mainly in the southwestern portion of the county.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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