DENVER — Since Tuesday, southwest Colorado has gotten 1-3 inches of rain. That's not a major rain event, but it is very significant — especially in the place with the most need after a slow winter and a fast snow melt.
This week’s rain streamed into Colorado from the tropics which could be an indication that the summer monsoon is setting up early.
The monsoon is a weather pattern that happens in the summer when the winds in the southwest region of the United States change direction. Instead of generally flowing out to sea, the winds flip around and flow onshore, bringing tropical moisture over the land.
That can bring significant rain into Colorado, especially the mountains and the western slope.
The monsoon pattern is driven by a consistent area of low pressure that forms as the desert heats up in the hot summer sun. A consistent area of high pressure called the sub-tropical high to the east helps channel the moisture.
This week’s rain is a good sign, but it’s not yet a consistent monsoon pattern.
The National Weather Service forecast favors a weak monsoon pattern initially, with the outlook for July showing a high chance for below-average precipitation. Years with an El Niño weather pattern that transitions into a La Niña during the summer months tend to favor a late-developing monsoon.
There’s a better chance for a stronger monsoon pattern by the start of August.
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