During the 31 days of March, Cortez received just 0.41 inches of precipitation.
That’s less than half – 48% – of the 0.86-inch average for the month, and it brings the city’s year-to-date precipitation to 1.75 inches, just 61% of the 2.88 inches we typically see by this time of year.
“Months ago we were out of drought, and now we’re looking back into it,” said Jim Andrus, a National Weather Service weather watcher in Cortez.
Stats are slightly more favorable in the snow department, but snowfall still fell short of its monthly average: In March, 4.4 inches of snow fell on Cortez, which is 88% of the monthly average of 5 inches.
That brings total snowfall this winter season to 15.2 inches, “49% short of the expected 30.9 inch average this late in winter,” said Andrus.
Andrus added that snow-water equivalent snowpack in the Dolores basin sits at 61%.
“Even if you’re an atheist, pray for rain,” said Andrus.
Because “our winter-season drought persists from last November through this March with no expectation of relief forecast in the 30-day and 90-day climate outlooks,” he said.
Both forecasts predict above average temperatures, and below-average precipitation.
Looking back on March, Andrus said that no record daily low temperatures were set, but three highs were:
- 68 degrees on March 2 eclipsed the 2008 record of 65 degrees.
- 75 degrees on March 26 eclipsed the 1971 record of 73 degrees.
- 80 degrees on March 27 eclipsed the 2022 record of 76 degrees.
The highest temperature for the month was on March 27, which was 80 degrees; the lowest was 15 degrees on March 20.
“The coldest high temperature in March was 42 degrees on March 15, and the warmest low temperature in March was 40 degrees on March 28,” said Andrus.
On April 11, a new daily high was set – that morning, temperatures reached 79 degrees, which was 18 degrees higher than the 61 degrees we’ve historically seen that day.
This month and into June, which is the driest month of the year based on 30 year averages, there’s “not much relief at all” in regards to hot, dry conditions in Cortez.
“Water your plants carefully, and conserve your water,” Andrus said. “Don’t waste any water – we need it all.”
