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• Snowfall. Annual snowfall is highly dependent on terrain elevation and <br />on the orientation of the mountains and the mountain ranges. Annual <br />snowfall in this region of Colorado ranges from less than 15 inches to <br />more than 300 inches. The maximum monthly snowfall occurs in January. <br />Temperature. Daily, monthly, and annual mean temperatures are highest <br />at low elevations and lowest at higher elevations. However, on any <br />given night, temperatures may be cooler in valleys and basins than in <br />the adjacent higher locations surrounding the lower areas. Cold <br />temperatures in the valley are caused by cold air draining from the <br />surrounding terrain during night time radiational cooling. Such cooling <br />is most pronounced on clear, calm nights. <br />Temperature data for Durango, Colorado are presented in Table 4, Monthly <br />Average Temperature (1971-1978). Based on data collected by the United <br />States Department of Commerce, the mean annual temperature at Durango is <br />less than 50° Farenheit. <br />• <br />Wind. The east-west orientation of Hay Gulch valley is conducive to <br />easterly downslope breezes during nighttime hours and westerly upslope <br />winds during the day. Local terrain has the effect of shielding the <br />valley with respect to surface air motion, and consequently, calm or <br />near calm conditions are common, especially at night and in early <br />morning. <br /> <br /> <br />2.04-18 <br />