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13 CLIMATE <br />The climate for the site is approximated by the National Weather Service station located in <br />Gunnison, Colorado, approximately 8 miles to the northwest. Gunnison is located at an <br />elevation of 7,700 feet, and the permit area is at an elevation of 9,000 feet. Conditions specific <br />to the site are similar to those of the Gunnison weather station for which temperature and <br />precipitation data is available. The total annual precipitation at the permit site is estimated to <br />be approximately 30 percent higher than those numbers reported for the Town of Gunnison, <br />based on its higher elevation. The temperatures range from warm in the summer to cold in the <br />winter, producing a mean annual temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit. This number is <br />important as it shows that the average temperature is above freezing, and currently is higher <br />than the maximum temperature that would allow glaciation. The predominant wind direction <br />is westerly and the open areas are typically breezy. Suring the summer months, gross <br />southwesterly winds tend to bring in warmer temperatures and northwesterly winds tend to <br />bring cooler temperatures. <br />The total annual average precipitation for Gunnison is 10.5 inches based on 30 years of National <br />Weather Service Records. So using the above conversion average annual precipitation for the <br />permit area is 13.5 inches, with greater than fifty percent of the precipitation falling as snow <br />during the winter months. This number is supported by the type and quality of the vegetation <br />found in the general area. Higher rainfalls would lead to the growth of different plant species. <br />Based on 30 years Weather Service records, the average precipitation by month is shown <br />below. <br />Sourced from National Weather Service Data <br />(b)(ii) <br />The predominant wind direction is westerly and the open areas are typically breezy. Suring the <br />summer months, gross southwesterly winds tend to bring in warmer temperatures and <br />17 <br />Jan <br />Feb <br />Mar <br />Apr <br />May <br />Jun <br />Jul <br />Aug <br />Sep <br />Oct <br />Nov <br />Dec <br />Annual <br />Av <br />Mean <br />Precipitation <br />0.82 <br />0.75 <br />0.66 <br />0.7 <br />0.78 <br />0.69 <br />1.46 <br />1.49 <br />0.99 <br />0.73 <br />0.58 <br />0.78 <br />10.43 <br />(inches) <br />Sourced from National Weather Service Data <br />(b)(ii) <br />The predominant wind direction is westerly and the open areas are typically breezy. Suring the <br />summer months, gross southwesterly winds tend to bring in warmer temperatures and <br />17 <br />