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<br />1997 <br />GRAND JUI\TCTION, <br />COLORADO (GJT) <br /> <br />r <br />Gcand Junction is lotaced at the junction of the <br />Colorado and Gunnison Rivers. S[ as on the west <br />slope of the Rockies, in a large mountain valley. <br />The area has a climate marked by the wide seasonal <br />range usual to anterior localities aC this <br />latitude. Thanks, however, [o the protective <br />topography of [he vicinity, sudden and severe <br />weather chi r.ges are very infrequent. The va'_ley <br />floor slopes from 4,800 Eeet near Palisade to <br />4,400 feet ac the west end near Fruica. Mountaars <br />are on all sides a;, distances of from 30 [0 60 <br />miles and reach heights of 9.000 to over 12.000 <br />Eeec. <br />This mountain valley location, wash attendant <br />valley breezes, provides protection from spring <br />and fail frosts. This results in a growing season <br />averaging 191 days in the city. This varies <br />considerably in [he outlying districts. It is <br />about the same in the upper valley around <br />Palisade, and 3 to 4 weeks shorter near the river <br />west of Grand Junction. The growing season as <br />suf fi ci en[ly long to permit commercial growth of <br />almost all fruits except citrus varieties. Summer <br />grazing of cattle and sheep on nearby mountain <br />ranges is extensive. <br />The interior, con[inenLal location, ringed by <br />mountains on all sides, results in quite low <br />precipitation in all seasons. Consequently. <br />agri ccl[ure is dependent on irrigation. Adequate <br />supplies of water are avai'_able from mountain <br />snows and rains. Summer rains occur chiefly as <br />scattered light showers and thunderstorms whacY. <br />develop over nearby mountains. 4la nter snows are <br />fairly frequent, but are mostly light and quick to <br />melt. Even the infrequent snows of Erom 4 co B <br />inches seldom remain on [he ground for prolonged <br />periods. Blizzard conditions an [he valley are <br />extremely rare. <br />Temperatures above 100 degrees are infrequent, and <br />about one-third o' the wa nters have no readings <br />below zero. Summer days with maximum temperatures <br />in the middle 90s and minimums in the low 60s <br />are common. Relative humidity as very low during <br />the summer, with values similar Co other dry <br />locations such as the southern parts of New Mexico <br />and Arizona. Spells of cold winter weather are <br />sometimes prolonged due Co cold air becoming <br />trapped in the valley. Winds are usually very <br />light durin3 [he coldest weather. Changes in <br />winter are normally gradual, and abrupt changes <br />are much iess frequent than an eastern Colorado. <br />Cold waves are rare. Sunny days predominate an all <br />seasons. <br />The prevailing wind is Erom the east-southeast due <br />to the valley breeze effect. The strongest <br />winds are associated with thunder storms or with <br />pre-frontal weather. They usually are from the <br />south or southwest. <br />