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Snowcover in northwest Colorado is dependent on several factors: elevation, <br />• slope aspect, ambient air temperature, solar radiation, protection from pre- <br />vailing winds and, at times, vegetation cover. <br />North and east facing slopes tend to remain under snow cover for most of the <br />a now season because of aspect "protection" from solar radiation. South and <br />vest facing slopes are subject to greater solar radiation and tend to "open" <br />while the remaining countryside remains under a mantle of snow. <br />In the winter, when the colder months are "dry" or after a melt, the terrain <br />may be clear of snow cover for several weeks and thus be classified as an <br />"open vinter". On the other hand, the terrain may remain covered with snow <br />for several weeks after a heavy snow event that is followed by an extended <br />period of very low temperatures (Berry, 1966). <br />The greatest depth of snowfall in Craig occurred on December 31, 1951, when <br />36.0 inches (91.44 cm) were on the ground. The greatest daily snowfall <br />occurred in December, 1948, when 11.7 inches (29.72 cm) fell in 24 hours. The <br />• estimated arithmetic mean for snowfall over the 24 year period from 1950 <br />through 1974 is 78.3 inches (198.9 cm). <br />• <br />2-17 <br />