Record Low & High Set In Same Day

news image
Special Stories
12 Jul 2020 8:00 PM
Alamosa, Colorado conquered an impressive feat on Friday; to reach a record low temperature and a record high temperature in the same day! https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1281755086021177344 The Alamosa weather station (code KALS) dropped to 37 degrees on Friday morning, close to the temperature at which frost starts to form. Then Friday afternoon, the temperature soared +55 degrees to hit 92 degrees! Based on the climate data, 37F tied the record low and 92F broke the record high! These record temperatures were daily, just for July the 10th, and not all-time extremes. However, the record books date back quite a length of time, beginning in 1906 for Alamosa, CO. So how is this possible? Answer: Dry air. Dry air can heat and cool far easier than moist air. Locations in the western United States notoriously have much drier and lower relative humidity levels. On Friday, there was a massive area of high pressure over the Southwest U.S. Alamosa sits in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Nearby are large mountain peaks. At night, cool air drains down from the mountains and settles in the valley. Alamosa is in a prime spot to get chilly at night. Then during the day, the San Luis Valley warmed quickly because of the extensive high pressure. That high pressure caused sinking air, which combined with the dry conditions, warmed the lowest elevations as it sank to the surface. It's not common to reach a record low and a record high in the same day, but this goes to show how much the temperature can swing under clear conditions with dry weather.
All Weather News
More
Severe Threat Continues in the Southeast

Severe Threat Continues in the Southeast

The Southeast can not seem to shake the storm

12 May 2025 8:30 PM
Florida’s Rainy Season Starting Ahead of Schedule

Florida’s Rainy Season Starting Ahead of Schedule

An upper-level low will meander around the Gu

12 May 2025 8:20 PM
Summertime Heat Prompts Fire Danger in the Northern Plains

Summertime Heat Prompts Fire Danger in the Northern Plains

NORTHERN PLAINS - Temperatures were incredibl

12 May 2025 8:10 PM
Severe Weather Ramps Up Late Week

Severe Weather Ramps Up Late Week

We've been stuck in a pretty stagnant pattern

12 May 2025 7:55 PM
Northern Great Plains and Rockies Storm Threat

Northern Great Plains and Rockies Storm Threat

HIGH PLAINS - With temperatures pushing 80-90

12 May 2025 7:45 PM
Flood Threat Lingers in New England Saturday

Flood Threat Lingers in New England Saturday

A break in storms for the Northeast is on the

10 May 2025 7:25 PM
Huge Hail in the Mid-South Thursday, Storms Linger in the Carolinas Today

Huge Hail in the Mid-South Thursday, Storms Linger in the Carolinas Today

Hail over the size of tennis balls and baseba

9 May 2025 7:45 PM