Record-breaking precipitation falls in SLV

‘This system has been very beneficial’ 

By PRISCILLA WAGGONER, Courier Reporter
Posted 10/22/24

ALAMOSA — Less than two weeks after Alamosa experienced a seven-day stretch of record-breaking heat, nature delivered another surprise. This time, it came in the form of record-breaking precipitation. According to Mark Wankowski, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pueblo, readings taken at the SLV Regional Airport show that, on Oct. 17, 0.07 inches of rain fell. On Oct. 18, 0.17 inches fell followed by 1.08 inches of rain on Oct. 19.  

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Record-breaking precipitation falls in SLV

‘This system has been very beneficial’ 

Posted

ALAMOSA — Less than two weeks after Alamosa experienced a seven-day stretch of record-breaking heat, nature delivered another surprise. This time, it came in the form of record-breaking precipitation. 

According to Mark Wankowski, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pueblo, readings taken at the SLV Regional Airport show that, on Oct. 17, 0.07 inches of rain fell. On Oct. 18, 0.17 inches fell followed by 1.08 inches of rain on Oct. 19.  

Added together, Wankowski said, SLV Regional Airport reported 1.59 inches of rain for the month of October. 

“Normal for October is sixty-five hundredths, so that’s twice the rain that normally falls this month,” he said. 

As far as reports for the year, from Jan. 1 to Oct. 20, 10.52 inches of rain has been reported in Alamosa, equaling 3.09 inches above normal with two months left to go in the year. That makes 2024 the seventh wettest year on record, so far. 

“That’s a lot of precipitation,” Wankowski said. “This system was very beneficial.” 

Other spots in the San Luis Valley reported substantial rain, as well.  

The co-op in Monte Vista eported receiving 1.35 inches of rain in the last four days while Manassa reported receiving 1.92 inches. To the north, Crestone reported receiving 1.25 inches while, to the west, the co-op in Del Norte reported 1.15 inches. 

As far as snowfall in the high country is concerned, Wankowski cited SNOTEL, saying that Wolf Creek Pass received 26 inches of snow, with a snow-water equivalent of 2 inches. 

SNOTEL stands for SNOpack TELemetry, a term used for remote backcountry weather stations that measure snow and then transmit the data wirelessly.