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<br />,. <br /> <br />CLIMATE <br /> <br />Colorado has a continental type of climate due to its inland location, <br /> <br />being characterized by wide ranges in temperatures and irregular annual <br /> <br />and seasonal precipitation. The climate is temperate and is semiarid <br /> <br />except in the high mountain areas. Humidity is generally low which favors <br /> <br />rapid evaporation. The thin atmosphere allows greater penetration of <br /> <br />solar radiation and results in pleasant daytime conditions even during the <br /> <br />winter. <br /> <br />The climate of a particular area is profoundly affected by its <br /> <br />elevation and to a lesser degree by the orientation of mountain ranges <br /> <br />and valleys with respect to general air movements. These influences can <br /> <br />cause wide variations in weather conditions within short distances. Usually, <br /> <br />temperatures decrease and precipitation increases with higher elevation, <br /> <br />but the pattern is modified by the orientation of mountain slopes with <br /> <br />respect to prcvailing winds and by the effect of the topography on local air <br /> <br />movement. <br /> <br />The prevailing westerly winds dominate Colorado's weather, especially <br /> <br />during the cool and cold seasons. As the warm season advances, the <br /> <br />weslerly winds lose much of their predominance, and air masses carrying~ <br /> <br />~ <br />~ <br />