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<br />CLIMATE <br /> <br /> <br />"'\ <. " ;' i <br />u u.:... .'," tJ " <br /> <br />Precipitation <br /> <br />An important feature of precipitation in the plains of Colorado is the <br />large proportion of the annual total which falls in the growing season - 70 <br />to 80 ~ercent during the period from April through September. Summer <br />precipitation in the plains is largely from thunderstorm activity and is <br />sometimes extremely heavy. Precipitation decreases gradually from the <br />eastern border to a minimum near the mountains and then increases rapidly <br />with increasing elevation of the foothills. Most precipitation in the <br />higher mountains occurs in the winter months. Summer rainstorms do not have <br />the intensity or duration of those in the plains or front range foothills. <br />The mountain snow pack provides spring runoff and summer base flow to <br />streams serving those irrigated croplands concerned with in this study. <br /> <br />Figure A-I gives a seasonal distribution of precipitation, and Table A-I <br />gives normal annual values at selected locations. Figure A-2 shows average <br />snow depths and water equivalent at a selected snow course in the mountains. <br />Figure A-3 is a general mean annual precipitation map of the basin. <br /> <br />Temperature and Growing Season <br /> <br />Most of Colorado has a cool and invigorating climate which could be <br />termed a highland or mountain climate of a continental location. <br /> <br />Summer daily maximum temperatures are often 950F or above in the plains <br />below 5,000 ft. elevation. The usual winter extremes are from zero to 100F <br />below zero. At the western edge of the plains, near the foothills, there <br />are a number of significant changes in climate as compared to the plains. <br />Areas near the mountains have less average wind movement but have severe <br />turbulent winds. Temperature changes from day to day are not as great, <br />however summer temperatures are lower and winter temperatures higher. <br /> <br />Northeastern Colorado has a growi ng season averagi ng 140 days, whi ch is <br />suitable for crops such as wheat, spring grains, corn, alfalfa, and sugar <br />beets. The mean date of first 320F temperature in spring varies from about <br />May 10 in the plains to May 30 along the front range foothills. The mean <br />date of first 320F temperature in Autumn varies from about September 30 in <br />the plains to August 30 along the front range foothills. <br /> <br />The mean temperatures and frost dates for selected locations are shown <br />in Table A-2. <br /> <br />A-I <br />