Colorado
What's in store for Monsoon Season in southern Colorado
If you’re a multi-year resident of Colorado, you know the monsoon and the frequent storms and beneficial rainfall it brings. The storms we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks haven’t been due to the Monsoon pattern specifically – instead they’re due to the decay of an intense El Niño and changes to the jet stream and other wind patterns that brought better moisture in from the Gulf of Mexico. The latest spate this week are partly a result of trapped moisture under a persistent high pressure system – monsoon like, but not the monsoon itself. But, the monsoon is coming.
KOAA
The Colorado monsoon occurs when high-pressure semi-permanently located in the Gulf of Mexico into portions of the country of Mexico, moves north. In doing so, it changes the wind pattern of the Jet Stream, pulling in moisture from both the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. This is often aided by a low pressure system called a monsoon low over southern California or northern Mexico. The combination pulls in dramatically higher amounts of moisture to Colorado than we see during other times of the year. Much of our state sees well over a quarter of its annual rainfall during the monsoon – with some regions significantly higher than that!
Each year – the monsoon is different. The main factors influencing it include whether we’re in an El Niño or a La Niña. The position of the subtropical high….and how wet or dry the soil and plants are around our state. This year we’re in between an El Niño or a La Niña and trending toward the latter. That in itself would favor above average monsoonal rainfall.
But, the position and expected location of other weather systems and soil and plant moisture suggest a drier than normal monsoon season – and that’s what the Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal rainfall outlook shows.
That said – even with a below average monsoon, we’re likely to get some good beneficial moisture in August..which we need. Colorado Springs as of Thursday morning was sitting an inch below average for rainfall year to date.
____
Have a question or story idea you would like the First Alert 5 Weather team to consider? Email: weather@koaa.com
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.
Damage assessments are still ongoing for homes and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado, but over 200 homes have been confirmed destroyed so far. The United Way of Southern Colorado is working to raise relief funds for those affected and says it’s making progress towards its fundraising goal.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said they’ve assessed approximately 67% of the properties affected in the county. Authorities have confirmed the loss of 192 homes and four commercial structures so far and are working to contact property owners as quickly as possible.
Lucero urged everyone affected by the fire to use the survivor portal for more information on assistance.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith says they’ve lost approximately 83 homes so far, almost 2% of the county’s homes. The worst hit area is along the Highway 165 corridor, Smith added. He said that authorities don’t expect any new evacuation areas, but are not yet ready to release the existing evacuation orders.
Smith said a hotline is available during business hours for affected Custer County Residents to ask questions. He urged residents to contact them at (719) 467-0271 and advised they may need to leave a voicemail if the line is busy due to the high number of calls.
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near the burn scar, which could affect nearby homes.
The President of the United Way of Southern Colorado, Shanna Farmer, said the organization is working to raise wildfire relief funds for those affected. Over the last few days, they have reached just over $417,000 of their $10 million goal.
“It has been incredible, the number of individuals and companies who have come out to support, to provide matches, and to provide innovative ways to raise those funds,” said Farmer. “And so, I encourage anyone who is willing to work with us on a corporate, business, or individual level to please reach out because it is going to take all of us to help rebuild.”
Farmer said that the community not only needs help with their immediate needs but also long-term support. She urged anyone interested in donating to visit their website.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says anyone who has evacuated needs to contact the Disaster Assistance Center located at 29 Lehigh Ave. in Pueblo. The center is open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. and provides multiple resources for those forced to evacuate.
Residents must also visit the center to obtain a re-entry pass, which will allow them to return home once evacuation orders have been lifted. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. Visitors can sign up online to reserve a place in line for faster service.
A powerful search engine that organizes and provides access to vast information on the internet.
Colorado
Julian Lewis Says Deion Sanders’ Colorado ‘Wasn’t Really Looking at Defenses Much’ Last Season
Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis made a stunning admission that could explain the team’s 3-9 finish to the 2025 season.
While speaking to ESPNU at Big 12 media days, Lewis was asked what the biggest difference was between last year and this year, and he revealed that the Deion Sanders-coached Buffaloes typically didn’t watch film during his first season with the team.
“My play, I’m actually looking at the defenses now,” Lewis said. “Last year, we wasn’t really looking at defenses much, just kind of high school free-balling, just out there playing football. But it’s a lot bigger than that now, so it should be fun.”
Before taking a redshirt year, Lewis played in four games as a true freshman with two starts and threw for 589 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 55.3 percent of his passes. He should fare even better this season with the benefit of film study.
Lewis will enter the 2026 campaign as Colorado’s starting quarterback, so he will have the opportunity to show his improvements when the Buffaloes open the year against Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.
-
Culture42 minutes ago
Which Version of the ‘Odyssey’ Should You Read?
-
Lifestyle45 minutes agoTerry Tempest Williams on why women with big ideas get labeled ‘crazy’ : Wild Card with Rachel Martin
-
Technology57 minutes agoGoogle’s Nest Thermostat has hit its best price of the year
-
World60 minutes agoArgentinian flight instructor jumps to death from plane, 22-year-old student forced to land alone
-
Politics1 hour agoOmar’s disclosures erased millions, leaving her with potential negative net worth. She won’t explain why.
-
Health1 hour agoDr Oz links obesity to chronic disease surge, says GLP-1s can ‘jumpstart’ better health
-
Sports1 hour agoPirates star pitcher makes unfortunate history after being taken out in middle of perfect game bid
-
Technology1 hour agoMedical identity theft follows you into the doctor’s office
