Alternating wet conditions and fire danger days have marked the beginning of the wet season in Colorado Springs. 

According to meteorologist Mike Garberoglio, Colorado Springs can expect eventful weather at the start of March, with a red flag warning day bringing warm temperatures and high fire danger at the start of the weekend and then a cooldown with the possibility of snow early next week.

Garberoglio said that alternating wet and dry weather at the end of winter — which also produced a red flag warning last week on Monday followed by snow precipitation the next day — is typical for the area. 

The week brought several wildfires in and around the city, with two multiple-hundred-acre fires burning on Fort Carson and another 168 acre fire at the Air Force Academy. Another fire was burning on Fort Carson Friday in what officials said was a prescribed burn. None of the wildfires have so far threatened people or property. 

As low pressure systems periodically move through, high pressure lingers to create warm and windy conditions. Depending on the severity of the wind, any moisture gained can quickly be lost, limiting the good that more precipitation might to do stave off fires, Garberoglio said. 

“Things dry out pretty quick around here,” he said. 

Despite the persistent fire risk, the long-term climate forecast for the first half of March sees slightly more moisture than average. Colorado Springs has received above-average levels of precipitation this winter season, ahead of the year’s typically wettest months in late springs and summer. 

According to meteorologist Mark Wankowski with the NWS in Pueblo, the region has received precipitation so far this winter measuring in at 36.7 inches to date — 16.1 inches over what the area normally sees in a single winter season. 

February in the Pikes Peak region was wetter than usual as well, with a total of 11.8 inches of snow — 7.2 inches above average for the month. 

The NWS recorded the Colorado Springs area itself receiving 1.32 inches of precipitation on February — four times the normal average of 0.32. The typical averages for March and April are 0.79 and 1.45 inches, respectively. 

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, none of El Paso County is currently experiencing drought. At the same time last year, 100% of the county was experiencing “abnormally dry” drought conditions, and 62% of the county was experiencing “Moderate Drought.” 

Looking at the state as a whole, 36.66% of Colorado is experience some effect of drought, mainly in the southwestern and northwestern portions of the state. 

South of Colorado Springs, parts of Saguache and Alamosa counties are experiencing severe drought conditions, the U.S. Drought Monitor states. 

Looking forward into the week’s forecast, a red flag warning was out for Friday and a fire weather watch for Saturday in Colorado Springs. Both days were forecast to be gusty, with temperatures in the 60s.

Sunday will be slightly cooler on the 50s, with a slight chance of spotty snow showers in the afternoon. A front moving in Monday is expected to bring seasonal temperatures in the 40s and the potential for rain and snow. 

Later in the week we are likely to see temperatures remain low with the potential for precipitation coming out of the mountains into the Interstate 25 corridor. 

Expected snowfall for Colorado from a winter storm from Saturday to Monday.

National Weather Service