From The Pueblo Chieftain (Matt Hildner):
While the valley’s weather may be different than other parts of the state, it’s driven by many of the same factors. High elevation, latitude, a landlocked location in the middle of the continent and the surrounding mountain topography are drivers. It’s the last factor that plays the biggest role that ensures Alamosa receives an average of roughly 7 inches of precipitation a year, which is less than the Front Range and even Phoenix. Storm systems lose much of their muster once they make it past the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. “Descending air is drying air,” he said. “You are on the short end of the stick.”