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<br />FIGURE 9: Wnd (monthly) <br />mbndO Spnnpa. Wb2Eo <br />I]- <br />II]- <br /> <br />10 ]- <br />10- <br />Z <br />P]- <br />P- <br />~]- <br />8n PM Mar 1q WY Any .WN Ap LP Ocl My Cc <br />MIT <br />• Climate <br />N <br />x,A.Y UEfl61N[fAiE PREVAIIIq GRECIIM <br />M <br />SSE <br />M <br />MNE <br />NMV <br />6E <br />NK x NfE <br />x <br />SITE MOD/FICAT/ONS: Wind factors along the Front Range Urban Corridor shoH• very significant <br />variations depending upon the relationship of the site to the mountain front. Generally, near the mountains <br />the winds are considerably greater than they are even a short distance further east. This is especially true <br />during the non-growing season. Strong downslope, warming winds aze common in wince- and are a very <br />significant factor affecting winter survival of especially evergreen plants. This site is prone to severe winds <br />that blow downslope and to a lesser extent laterally along the mountain face. <br />The Colorado Springs weather station is generally outside the azea of strong wind influence. <br />Therefore, the data presented in Figure 4 has limited utility to this site. Colorado Springs c; windier, on the <br />average, than most other areas along the Front Range Urban Corridor, but the desiccating winds of winter are <br />probably not much different at this site than they are elsewhere. Thus, consideration should lte given to using <br />moisture conserving techniques if conifers are to be planted. Afternoon shading and rapid cooling in winter <br />offsets the negative effects of wind to some extent. <br />PATTERNS OF ANNUAL VARIATION <br />Figtue 5 shows the annual precipitation for Colorado Springs between 1956 and 198:i. The 1957 and <br />1965 peaks were clearly anomalous and should not be relied upon to estimate drought periods and periods of <br />better than average moisture. During this period (1956-1985), 14 years were below normal and 16 years were <br />above normal. As a rule the annual variations range about 2 inches on either side of the average annual <br />precipitation indicated by the horizontal line. Between 1976 and 1985 there were far more wet yeazs than dry <br />years. Although data since 1985 is available, it is not in a condensed form and probably would show similar <br />pattems of vaziation. <br />This variation in precipitation shows that deviations from the average are razely extreme and should <br />not significantly influence the long term success of a revegetation program. Of course, tF.ese pattems can <br />change abruptly. From 1959 to 1964 there was a general decline in annual precipitation, but in 1965 <br />precipitation increased by nearly three times over 1964. Since 1965 the variations have been moderate, except <br />for 1974. This is quite consistent with what has been observed previously in revegetation programs. <br />Menzer Quarry Amendment Exhibit K Page 6 <br />