Colorado Rain / Tornado Season (Pueblo, Manitou Springs: city hall, camping, living in)

[docryan]

I'm Driving back West in couple months and wanted to know
What can I expect weather wise when I'm driving out. I'll b leaving sometime
In June will be camping out for month along with drive wanted to know what
Weather to prepare for?

[jazzlover]

Anything. June is typically one of the more violent weather months on the Eastern Plains and northern Front Range (Pueblo to Wyoming). Severe thunderstorms with large hail can occur with some regularity during June in those areas. Tornadoes are infrequent, but can occur on the Eastern plains and immediately east of the Front Range during summer--particularly in June and early July. In the northern mountains, June can be somewhat wet in a normal year (which this certainly has NOT been so far), while June is typically one of the driest months in the south-central and southwestern portions of Colorado. Expect the wildfire danger to be extreme in the southern part of Colorado--with campfire bans, etc. almost a certainty there. In a normal year, the southern mountains will begin to get regular afternoon thundershowers in early July, while the northern mountains will start get less storm activity. June is typically the hottest month in the southern half of Colorado, with temperatures reaching the 90's or even low 100's in the lower elevations. July or August are typically the hottest months in the northern half of Colorado. Of course, the mountains are generally far cooler than the lower elevations, and can see nighttime temperatures dropping into the low 40's or high 30's anytime during the summer.

Expect very low streamflows and a lot of very low reservoir levels this summer--especially in the southern half of Colorado, where a severe multi-year drought remains locked in place.

[Colorado Rambler]

Jazzlover pretty much nailed it, except I'd say just from anecdotal evidence that July tends to be a hotter month in SW Colorado than June. Usually at some point in July, the monsoon will arrive to drop temperatures somewhat which may make July statistically cooler out here, even though we get plenty of high temps in the first part of that month. Alas, for a couple of years or so, the monsoon has begun to fail us - just more wacky warm and dry weather, I guess.

Speaking of tornadoes, they can show up even in the foothills of the Front Range on rare occasions. I was living in Manitou Springs when a small twister came right through the park downtown next to City Hall. The park was demolished and the statue which was a memorial to American soldiers who had been killed in the wars had to be replaced (along with the rest of the park).

The worst problem I've ever run into on I-70 from about Kansas City on is extreme boredom. Don't forget to stop and see the World's Biggest Prairie Dog (near Goodland?), because after him there is NOTHING until you hit the eastern most sprawl of the Front Range.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Anything. June is typically one of the more violent weather months on the Eastern Plains and northern Front Range (Pueblo to Wyoming). Severe thunderstorms with large hail can occur with some regularity during June in those areas. Tornadoes are infrequent, but can occur on the Eastern plains and immediately east of the Front Range during summer--particularly in June and early July. In the northern mountains, June can be somewhat wet in a normal year (which this certainly has NOT been so far), while June is typically one of the driest months in the south-central and southwestern portions of Colorado. Expect the wildfire danger to be extreme in the southern part of Colorado--with campfire bans, etc. almost a certainty there. In a normal year, the southern mountains will begin to get regular afternoon thundershowers in early July, while the northern mountains will start get less storm activity. June is typically the hottest month in the southern half of Colorado, with temperatures reaching the 90's or even low 100's in the lower elevations. July or August are typically the hottest months in the northern half of Colorado. Of course, the mountains are generally far cooler than the lower elevations, and can see nighttime temperatures dropping into the low 40's or high 30's anytime during the summer.

Expect very low streamflows and a lot of very low reservoir levels this summer--especially in the southern half of Colorado, where a severe multi-year drought remains locked in place.

I have heard that due to the recent storms the river flows will be more average, as least in south east Colorado.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

I have heard that due to the recent storms the river flows will be more average, as least in south east Colorado.

Not likely. The Arkansas may be a little better because of the diversions from the Frying Pan drainage in the west-central mountains where the snowpack is a little better. The Rio Grande River drainage is in horrible shape and most of the moisture of the last few storms has missed that area almost completely.

[CosmicWizard]

docryan wrote: I'm Driving back West in couple months and wanted to know What can I expect weather wise when I'm driving out. I'll b leaving sometime In June will be camping out for month along with drive wanted to know what Weather to prepare for?

Anything can happen, but the possibility of pleasant sunny weather, with dry road conditions is certainly possible.....but don't count on it.

[Colorado Rambler]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Not likely. The Arkansas may be a little better because of the diversions from the Frying Pan drainage in the west-central mountains where the snowpack is a little better. The Rio Grande River drainage is in horrible shape and most of the moisture of the last few storms has missed that area almost completely.

Check this out:

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by Colorado Rambler

The worst problem I've ever run into on I-70 from about Kansas City on is extreme boredom. Don't forget to stop and see the World's Biggest Prairie Dog (near Goodland?), because after him there is NOTHING until you hit the eastern most sprawl of the Front Range.

The OP could stop at the Wonder Tower in Genoa or the Kit Carson County Carousel in Burlington.

Wonder Tower, Genoa, Colorado

Kit Carson Carousel

[jazzlover]

Thanks to Colorado Rambler for the above graphic. Now, for the uninitiated in Western water, understand that streamflows under 80% are considered a very serious situation, and less than 70% a severe situation. Less than 50% is catastrophic. Now, look at the map again, and you will begin to understand the gravity of the situation.

[Josseppie]

If the OP is camping for a month depending on where they are camping they could see snow. This is Colorado.