While the rest of the state is melting in heat, Alamosa and the San Luis Valley have been soaking in rain. But that’s not unusual for August when you look back at this century.
What is unusual is four consecutive months of measurable precipitation, which the Valley has felt this spring and summer going back to the 1.7 inches of rain in May. In fact, 2024 is going down as one of the wettest summers on record since the year 2000.
Between May and August there has been a total of 6.14 inches of rain on the Upper Rio Grande this year. Two wetter four-month periods were in 2001 when 7.13 inches of rain accumulated between May and August, and 2022 when 7.08 inches of precipitation was measured.
This much rain, particularly in August, can be both a blessing and hindrance to the Valley landscape and way of life. A benefit to the flows of the Upper Rio Grande and overall desert environment; a detriment to the farmer looking to sell hay or barley crops.
This wet hay isn’t so good for the dairy farmer looking to purchase, and barley grown in this much rain can cause the buying brewery to turn away.
September through November looks like a drying-out period overall with above-seasonal high temperatures. If that’s the case, a snowy Christmas and New Year will be in order to keep the gains in the Upper Rio Grande from the steady summer rains.
WET YEARS (May through August)
2001: 7.13 total 4 month total
2022: 7.08 inches 4 month total
2024: 6.14 total 4 month total
2017: 5.68 inches 4 month total
July and August are typically the rainiest months of the year. Here’s how the two months compare
AUGUST RAIN BY YEAR
2000: 1.02 in.
2001: 3.22 in.
2002: 0.32 in.
2003: 1.26 in.
2004: 0.60 in.
2005: 1.59 in.
2006: 1.08 in.
2007: 0.49 in.
2008: 1.23 in.
2009: 0.70 in.
2010: 0.47 in.
2011: 1.27 in.
2012: 0.50 in.
2013: 2.47 in.
2014: 0.53 in.
2015: 0.50 in.
2016: 2.16 in.
2017: 0.73 in.
2018: 0.64 in.
2019: 0.85 in.
2020: 0.33 in.
2021; 0.10 in.
2022 3.80 in.
2023: 0.39 in.
2024 1.80 in. (through Aug. 28)
JULY RAIN BY YEAR
2000: 0.37 in.
2001: 2.75 in.
2002: 0.84 in.
2003: 0.94 in.
2004: 0.72 in.
2005: 0.17 in.
2006: 2.94 in.
2007: 2.62in.
2008: 0.36 in.
2009: 0.45 in.
2010: 1.03 in.
2011: 0.14 in.
2012: 0.99 in.
2013: 0.80 in.
2014: 1.52 in.
2015: 1.34 in.
2016: 0.31 in.
2017: 3.52 in.
2018: 1.05 in.
2019: 0.89 in.
2020: 1.58 in.
2021: 1.14 in.
2022: 1.62 in.
2023: 0.01 in.
2024 0.64 in.