Colorado could see record-breaking heat this summer, weather forecasters say

Yahoo

28-04-2025

Summer 2025 is expected to bring record-breaking heat, according to The Farmers' Almanac and the Old Farmer's Almanac, two of the longest-running and most used long-term weather predictors in the United States.
The beginning of summer is defined by two separate calendars: astronomical and meteorological. The former is based on the position of the sun relative to the position of the Earth, and the latter on the 12-month common civil calendar.
Summer will begin under a June "strawberry" full moon, so named due to traditionally ripe strawberries at that time of year, according to The Farmers' Almanac, which uses an astronomical calendar to define the season. Summer ends on Sept. 22, according to the astronomical calendar.
Meanwhile, the Old Farmer's Almanac utilizes the meteorological calendar, which defines summer as starting June 1 and ending Sept. 1.
The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts that while June temperatures will be "near normal" in most regions of the country, July and August will bring above-normal temperatures across most regions, with few exceptions.
"Given recent trends, we wouldn't be surprised to see record-breaking heat," the Old Farmer's Almanac reports.
Last summer, Americans endured one of the hottest summers on record, with a nationwide average temperature of 73.8 degrees Fahrenheit, or 2.5 degrees above normal, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. It was also Earth's hottest summer since global records began in 1880, barely surpassing 2023's record.
This year, some areas of the country may see temperatures up to 4 degrees above average, including Texas, Oklahoma, and the heartland states, such as Kansas and Iowa.
However, rainfall will remain near to slightly below normal across much of the country, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The Farmers' Almanac largely concurs with the Old Farmer's Almanac's predictions: specifically, its prediction states the "North Central" states — including Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas — will be "scorching," but will see average rainfall.
In Pueblo, summer temperatures frequently reach the mid-80s to upper 90s, although average daily temperatures are mostly in the 70s, according to the National Weather Service.
Steel City temperature averages by month are as follows:
June — 71.8 degrees
July — 77.2 degrees
August — 74.8 degrees
September — 66.6 degrees
Historically, Pueblo sees some very hot days in the summer months. The area's average monthly maximum temperatures are as follows:
June — 88.6 degrees
July — 93.4 degrees
August — 90.2 degrees
September — 83.1 degrees
The Old Farmer's Almanac claims an 80% accuracy rate in its long-term weather predictions. However, the Old Farmer's Almanac's predictions for the winter of 2023-2024 were down to 64% accuracy, which was "a reflection of how abnormal recent weather patterns have been," the Old Farmer's Almanac reports.
Meanwhile, The Farmers' Almanac claims a similar accuracy rate of 80-85%.
Over the years, various methods have been used to make The Farmers' Almanac predictions, including studying sunspot cycles, solar activity, tidal forces, and even the reversal of winds in the stratosphere over the equator, The Farmers' Almanac writes.
"In addition to studying natural cycles, meteorologists also use the technique of comparing past weather patterns to current conditions to forecast future weather. This approach, known as analog forecasting, provides valuable insights into potential weather events."
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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: How hot will Colorado be this summer? Almanacs offer insight