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EXHIBIT K <br /> CLIMATE OF THE EASTERN PLAINS—The climate of the plains is comparatively uniform from place to <br /> place,with characteristic features of low relative humidity,abundant sunshine, light rainfall,moderate to high wind <br /> movement,and a large daily range in temperature. Summer daily maximum temperatures are often 95'F or above, <br /> and 100'F temperatures have been observed at all plain stations. Such temperatures are not infrequent at altitudes <br /> below 5,000 feet;above that elevation they are comparatively rare. The highest temperatures in Colorado occur in <br /> the northeastern plains,and sometimes exceed 115'F. Because of the very low relative humidity accompanying <br /> these high temperatures, hot days cause less discomfort than in more humid areas. The usual winter extremes in the <br /> plains are from zero to 10'F or 15'F below zero. <br /> An important feature of the precipitation in the plains is the large proportion of the annual total that falls during the <br /> growing season—70 to 80 percent during the period from April through September. Summer precipitation in the <br /> plains is largely from thunderstorm activity and is sometimes extremely heavy. Strong winds occur frequently in <br /> winter and spring. These winds tend to dry out soils,which are not well supplied with moisture because of the low <br /> annual precipitation. During periods of drought,high winds give rise to the dust storms which are especially <br /> characteristic of the southeastern plains. <br /> At the western edge of the plains and near the foothills of the mountains,there are a number of significant changes <br /> in climate as compared to the plains proper. Average wind movement is less,but areas very near the mountains are <br /> subject to periodic,severe turbulent winds from the effects of high westerly winds over the mountain <br /> barrier. Temperature changes from day to day are not as great;summer temperatures are lower,and winter <br /> temperatures are higher. Precipitation,which decreases gradually from the eastern border to a minimum near the <br /> mountains, increases rapidly with the increasing elevation of the foothills and increases rapidly with the increasing <br /> elevation of the foothills and proximity to higher ranges. The decrease in temperature from the eastern boundary <br /> westward to the foothills is less than might be expected with increasing altitude. This results from mountain and <br /> valley winds and greater frequency of the chinook. Below the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas,the mountain and <br /> valley winds are strong enough to modify the climate over a considerable area. Descending air currents frequently <br /> prevent the stratification of air necessary for the occurrence of excessive cold. As a consequence,the winter climate <br /> is milder than elsewhere in the State. <br /> Western Regional Climate Center <br /> Reno, NV <br /> https:Hwrcc.dri.edu/narratives/COLORADO.htm <br />