Climatologist: ‘Normal’ precipitation means less when it’s hot

LOVELAND — Northern Colorado and northeast Colorado remain on a dry path and, because of climate warming, even “normal” precipitation does not go as far as it once did.

Colorado’s state climatologist, Russ Schumacher, provided a statistical review of precipitation and temperatures to water users gathered at the Northern Water Conservancy District’s Fall Symposium on Tuesday in Loveland.

Last year was the sixth warmest water year since the climatology office at Colorado State University began keeping records. A water year ends in September.

Statewide, the year was the 35th driest out of 127 years in the records. In northeast Colorado — essentially the…