Climate/Location

The Land of Cool Sunshine

The San Luis Valley's Alamosa County is located in South Central Colorado at an elevation of 7,544 feet. The Valley, roughly the size of Connecticut, is the largest alpine valley in the world. Surrounded by majestic peaks, the Sangre de Cristo's to the east and the San Juan's to the west, mountain vistas sculpt the horizon. The famous Rio Grande originates in the San Juan Mountains and flows through the San Luis Valley.

Number of Sunshine Days: 350
Average Summer Temperature: 65 degrees F
Average Winter Temperature: 14 degrees F
Average Annual Precipitation: 7.6 inches
Average Annual Snowfall: 41.7 inches

The climate of the San Luis Valley is marked by moderate summers and cold winters, light precipitation and much sunshine. In Alamosa, 80% of the annual precipitation occurs from April to October, most of it as scattered, light showers from thunderstorms that develop over the mountains and move into the valley during the afternoon. More than half of these thunderstorms occur during July and August.

Winter snow, which occurs mainly in frequent light falls, average less than 40 inches per year, with occasional falls as early as September or as late as May. A good snow cover will remain on the ground for several weeks during the coldest months. The growing season averages about 90 days in Alamosa, increasing to over 100 days in the areas north and west of the city. July and August are usually the only frost free months.