Watch CBS News

From Record Snow To Little Snow, Fire Danger Is Rising Across Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) - It's hard to believe just three weeks ago we were talking about the snowiest February on record in Denver.

A little over 22 inches of snow fell in the Mile High City last month, the most observed in 143 years of record keeping.

Denver Record Forecast Lows-3
(credit: CBS)

But now the city is facing an opposite extreme over half way through the month of March.

Through March 22 there has only been 1.9 inches of snow measured at Denver International Airport, making it one of the least snowiest on record.

March is typically the snowiest month of the year in Denver with just over 11 inches on average.

(credit: CBS)(credit: CBS)

The story has been the same for most of Colorado over the past several months with occasional rounds of snow and extended periods of warm and dry weather in between.

As of March 23 snowpack was at 80 percent of the normal with the average peak for mountain snow accumulation now less than three weeks away.

(credit: CBS)(credit: CBS)

A combination of warm temperatures, low relative humidity and wind have combined to create several days with fire weather concern in recent weeks.

There have been several small grass fires since March 1.

Fire danger is a rising concern again this week ahead of an approaching weather front that is forecast to produce winds in the 20-40 mph range east of the Continental Divide starting Tuesday morning.

Red Flag12
(credit: CBS)
Red Flag1
(credit: CBS)

Impacts from the dry weather are showing up on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Since the middle of December, drought conditions have more than doubled across Colorado, expanding from the southeast plains to the western slope.

RELATED: Colorado Snowpack Struggles As Drought More Than Doubles Since Christmas

In addition, abnormally dry conditions are now being reported on the far eastern plains near the Kansas and Nebraska state lines and in the mountains along and west of the Continental Divide.

(credit: CBS)(credit: CBS)

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.