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<br />Daub & Associates, Inc. Page 3-10 2015 NS Mine Plan Modification <br />1/5/2016 Section 3 General Site Conditions <br />caused, in part, by the regional moisture deficiency, as heat normally used in the <br />evaporation process is used for warming land surfaces and the overlaying air. This <br />also results in a large diurnal temperature range, so that even on days of extremely <br />high temperatures, nights are usually cool. During the winter, air masses affecting <br />the region are again continental; however, they tend to be of polar origin. This <br />results in extended periods of clear skies and low temperature, frequently below 0°F. <br />During major outbreaks of polar air, severe freezing may occur with temperatures <br />dropping to -40°F or lower. <br />There is no general rule covering precipitation for the steppe climate; however, large <br />year to year variations are typical. Winter precipitation typically results from periodic <br />cyclonic systems interspaced with periods of cold, clear weather. Summer rainfall, <br />on the other hand, results typically from scattered thunderstorms which frequently <br />occur after long dry periods. Depending on the amount of rainfall received from <br />such storms and the length of the preceding dry period, significant damage may <br />occur from flash flooding. <br />The Piceance Creek Basin is strongly influenced by the highlands climate type. <br />Unlike the steppe climate, there is no distinct set of characteristics for the highlands <br />climate. In the Piceance Creek Basin, the primary action of the highlands climate is <br />as a modifier to the steppe climate. The most significant modifications occur as a <br />result of increased insolation (proportional to altitude increase) and complex terrain. <br />The combination of these factors results in large spatial variations in temperature, <br />precipitation and airflow even over relatively short distances. <br />Variations in local terrain cause significant differences in the effectiveness of <br />insolation. For each change in slope with respect to incoming solar radiation, a <br />different microclimate is established. This becomes an important factor in the <br />assessment of local conditions within the Basin where a multitude of steep-sloped <br />valleys are present. Temperature differences between sunlit and shaded areas <br />become pronounced. This is most evident during the winter and spring as south