The last month of the year continues to march ahead with 50 degree days, albeit some cooler air from the Pacific is moving in and could deliver a Christmas surprise. Alamosa established new record high temperatures for Dec. 19 and Dec. 20 when the mercury reached 63 and 59 degrees on back-to-back days. The days get longer from here. A bit more before Santa arrives:
1. A new ‘normal’ December
The weather may seem a bit out of the ordinary, but in fact this December is fairly typical for recent December pasts. While daytime highs for the month typically range in the mid-30s, the average December daily high temperature has been trending more in the low- to mid-40s the past five years. In 2024, a typical December day was 45.4 degrees; so far this year it’s 45.8 degrees. In 2021, the average daily temp was 45.6 degrees and 42.3 in 2022. December is also usually the snowiest of the months with 4.6 inches typical, although snow on Christmas Day is a rarity. The last time it snowed on Christmas was 2016, with an accumulation of 1.5 inches. Merry Christmas to you, snow or not.
2. Alarm at National Center for Atmospheric Research
When it comes to the field of meteorology, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR, is the “global mothership.” Based in Boulder, NCAR was established in 1960 to coordinate research on “the problems of the atmosphere,” and to share its work with climate scientists everywhere. The Trump Administration now says it plans to dismantle NCAR, with White House Budget Director Russell Vought calling the weather research center a source of “climate alarmism.” What it’s done in its time is make three-day and five-day forecasts a reliable outlook for everyday Americans, delivering precise predictions on tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other extreme events. “NCAR has played a greater cumulative role in advancing weather prediction and atmospheric modeling than perhaps any other single entity in the world,” says Daniel Swain, climate scientist at the University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources. More insight on NCAR here.
3. The year in wolves
The wolves don’t recognize our borders. State wildlife agencies in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah have a Memorandum of Understanding with each other: wolves that cross state lines can be relocated back to the state they came from. In our year-in-review we take a look at the Year in Wolves.
4. 2026 Ag conference: Planting hope
This year’s Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference is Feb. 3 through Feb. 5 in Monte Vista at the spacious, comfortable and professional Ski Hi Conference and Event Center. The educational program will sport a record 50 sessions, including talks, panels, lightning rounds, poster presentations and demonstrations. The theme, Managing the Chaos: Harnessing Complexity – Planting Hope, hits at the heart of what ag producers are facing these days. Full story on Monday.
5. 2026 Ski-Hi Stampede: Tickets on sale
Country singer Chase Rice will headline the 2026 Ski-Hi Stampede concert lineup. Tickets to the July 9 show will go on sale Monday, Dec. 22, according to Stampede organizers. The Stampede dates are July 9 through July 12. The big parades are Friday and Saturday of Stampede week.
6. 2026 Del Norte Town Election
Four trustee seats will be on the ballot when Del Norte holds its town election on April 7. Two ballot questions also will be decided — one on whether town elections should be moved to November and a second ballot question on term limits for local elected officials. Candidates can pick up nomination petitions beginning Jan. 6. The last day to file a candidate nomination petition is Jan. 26.
7. Valley Pod: Ronald W. Maestas
Ronald Maestas is an Adams State grad, a longtime educator and New Mexico Highlands University cross country coach. We talk with him about his memoir, “Mi Buena Vida: Inspirational and Influential Family and Friends.”
8. Alamosa’s Christmas Light Parade
Downtown Alamosa was merry and bright on Saturday evening as the annual Christmas Light Parade made its way down Main Street. Owen Woods was on the scene.
9. Pssst! There’s still time to give …
When it comes to fundraising … well, we’d rather report the news. But without your support we can’t make sure the Valley has the timely, accurate local news and information source it deserves. The Citizen is locally owned with deep roots in the community. Every dollar we raise stays right here in the Valley. Through Dec. 31, we are partnering with Colorado Media Project and Colorado Gives to match your tax-deductible gift. And, as always, thanks for reading The Citizen. You are why we are here.