finnster

Glad to see Utah is getting some precip - that must be great to see!

Long-range forecasts are pretty dicey, but I don't think it is going out on much of a limb to think Colorado's upcoming winter will trend toward warm and dry. I certainly hope that is NOT the case, but have not heard or seen of any indications to the contrary. I have been holding out hope for a long time that the AMO will switch to a cold phase (it teases in that direction once in a while and then trends back warm). If it does switch to cold long-term that could be a game changer. Also hoping for the 'right' type of El Nino (east-based) to form this year to bring copious amounts of moisture into the western US - now El Nino does not seem to be materializing and if it does, will probably be weak and the 'wrong' type to benefit Colorado much. Can't seem to catch a break. Having said all that, the past couple of winters in Colorado have really been sub-par. Denver has had two consecutive winters of less than 30" of snow. And we all know what the mountains experienced this past winter. You would think SOMETHING has to change to at least give us a little more cold and snow and remind us that we do have winter in these parts....

"Probably not a great sign for Denver's winter that the September 1-23 high (86.4F) is hotter than what Albuquerque is at for the month (85.3F). This September looks like 2002 east of the Rockies, but the West looks very different for temperatures." In general I'd have to agree not a great sign for Denver's upcoming winter (and for the entire CO front range, for that matter). When Denver starts getting hotter that ABQ you really have to start wondering. Also consider that Denver has not had even a trace of snow in September since 2000 - that's quite a stretch. It does not even seem feasible to think of snow in Sept. any more (heck I just hope to stay out of 90 degree temps in Sept. and even that is a stretch). I have to admit I'm an old die-hard that has lived in CO since the early 1960's. Many people I talk to in CO these days prefer to have little if any snow. I guess they haven't really learned where our water actually comes from .

These temperatures in September are just stupid ridiculous, and seemingly don't bode well for the fall/winter ahead. Very similar to last year at this time (even worse for dryness this year), and we all know how last winter turned out.

Raindance - good to hear, it seems that NM is faring much better than most of CO this year....