Laserfiche WebLink
• Temperatures are likely to drop below Oo F in winter. Temperatures <br /> tend to decrease and precipitation tends to increase with increased <br />elevation. Total average annual precipitation figures range from <br />less than 10 inches in the lowest valleys to nearly 80 inches at <br />some isolated mountain locations along the Continental Divide. The <br />climates of local areas are affected not only by elevation, but also <br />by the orientation of mountain ranges and the effect they have on <br />prevailing winds and local air movements. <br />The elevational difference between the highest and lowest point <br />in the Hayden-Steamboat Springs region is greater than 5,000 feet. <br />Along the Yampa River, in the vicinity of Craig and Hayden, <br />elevations are about 6,500 feet, whereas several peaks along the <br />. Continental Divide immediately northeast of Steamboat Springs rise <br />to nearly 12,000 feet. These peaks are part of the Park Range which <br />is oriented approzimately north south and is located just east of <br />Steamboat Springs. The Continental Divide has the following <br />pronounced effects on local weather features of the region: (1) it <br />acts as a barrier to storm systems approaching from the vest, <br />causing then to veer either to the north or south (2) it tends to <br />restrict the movement of high pressure systems and thus enhance the <br />possibility of air etagnation~ (3) it prevents intrusions of polar <br />air am the east slope of the Divide from reaching the vest slope <br />and (4) it increases precipitation towards the mountain due to the <br />upslope effect of the topography on storm systems moving to the east <br />• in winter. <br />2.04-58 <br />