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The Gimate of the Grand Junction area is similar to that of most of the intermountain areas west of the Continental <br />Divide in its aridity, wide range of daily temperatures, high percentage of bright sunny days, and high evaporation rate. <br />During the day, the air tends to move up the slopes that confine the valley at its eastern end. Then, at night, the air <br />moves down valley again. High winds are unusual, and cyclones are unknown. <br />Summertemperatures rise to a maximum of about 105 degrees F. Several days in summer may have temperatures <br />above 100 degrees. The nights however, are cool. The winters are mild. Temperatures are usually above zero, <br />though an absolute minimum of -21 degrees has been recorded. The average date of the last killing frost in spring is <br />April 14, and first in fall is October 21. The average frost-free orgrowing season is 190 days. The average humidity is <br />low. <br />The average annual precipitation at Grand Junction is 9.06 inches per year. This precipitation is well-distributed <br />throughout the year but is not sufficient to permit successful dry farming. The soils support only a scant growth of <br />native grasses and shrubs if they are not irrigated. The average snowfall is 22.0 inches. The ground is free of snow <br />most of the winter. <br /> •- ~ • <br /> TEMPERATURE F PRECIPITATION inches <br /> <br />SEASON <br />Absolute <br />Absolute <br />Total Total <br />Average <br /> Average Maximum Minimum gverage Driest Year Wettest Snowfall <br /> Year <br />Winter 28.1 70 -21 1.91 0.28 2.19 16.0 <br />S rin 51.7 94 7 2.30 1.45 4.04 3.4 <br />Summer 75.0 105 35 2.44 0.32 2.64 0 <br />Fall 53.4 98 4 2.41 1.59 5.89 2.6 <br />YEAR.52.1 52.1 105 -21 9.06 3.64 14.76 22.0 <br />