In March and April, drought was steadily growing in the Wet Mountain Valley region – week after dry and windy week. The snowpack totals continued to fall at a level not seen since the horrific drought of 2002 that caused ranchers to sell herds across the region as grass failed to grow. The fear among many of the locals was that drought and wildfire would be the star of the short summer months.
But for the time being, Mother Nature has staged a remarkable comeback. On Tuesday, June 3, locals who woke up early enough were greeted by the sight of white, snow-capped peaks as a storm Monday night dumped 1.5 inches of rain on much of the Valley and snow for the highest points in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, a low-pressure system around the four-corners region pulled tropical moisture up from the remnants of Tropical Storm Alvin (the first named storm system of the season). That low-pressure system then smashed that moisture up against a cold front that was heading south. The result of the collision between the two systems was snow-capped peaks in June and inches of rain overnight.
However, the storm was not a traveling one-night show, and the pattern of afternoon and evening storms will run for the rest of the week. Wednesday, in particular, has conditions that could see up to another inch of rain.
What can be said is that the region is as green as anyone can remember.
– Jordan Hedberg
