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
Tropical Storm Chantal Forms This Morning

Tropical Storm Chantal Forms This Morning

Tropical Storm Chantal has formed, with winds

5 Jul 2025 4:35 PM
Catastrophic Flooding in the Texas Hill Country

Catastrophic Flooding in the Texas Hill Country

Multiple Flash Flood Emergencies were issued

5 Jul 2025 4:35 PM
Eastern Pacific Remains Active

Eastern Pacific Remains Active

Following Flossie, the Eastern Pacific remain

5 Jul 2025 4:30 PM
Severe Storms in the Midwest Continue To Spoil the Holiday Weekend

Severe Storms in the Midwest Continue To Spoil the Holiday Weekend

NORTHERN PLAINS - A frontal system continues

5 Jul 2025 8:30 AM
Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

AAA is expecting over 70 million travelers to

4 Jul 2025 10:15 AM
Northeast Severe Threat on Thursday

Northeast Severe Threat on Thursday

NORTHEAST -A shortwave trough will swing thro

3 Jul 2025 8:05 PM
Northwest Heat Met With Thunderstorm Risk

Northwest Heat Met With Thunderstorm Risk

NORTHWEST - Today, portions of Montana are un

3 Jul 2025 12:00 AM