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~~ 5PC'~i onZ ~ ~/~- ' CLID7ATOLOGICAL INFORP'IATZON General descriptions of the climate of western Colorado are difficult to pattern due to the rugged topography of the region. Because of extremes in elevation, large variations in climate are likely to exist in shot horizontal distances. In general, temperatures at loner elevations commonly exceed • 80°F. in summer but are likely to drop below 0°F. in winter. At mountain summits and in high alpine meadows, .summers are cool and winters are normally severe with subzero temperatures common. Temperatures tend to decrease and precipitation tends to increase with increased elevation, Total average annual precipitation figures range frcm less than 10 inches in the lowest valleys to nearly 80 inches at some isolated mountain locations along the Continental Divide. The climates of local areas are affected not only by altitude but also by the orientation of mountain ranges • and the effect they have on prevailing winds and local air movements. The elevation of the Bourg property is approximately 8,100 feet. Several peaks along the Continental Civide immediately southeast of the property rise to 10,000 feet aCcv=_ sea level. These peaks are part of the Medicine Bow Mountain Range which is oriented approximately north-south and is located ,just east of the property. The Continental Divide has some pronounced effe~=~ er. lecal weather features e. t~= region: (1) it acts as a barrier to storm systems approaching from the nest, causing them to veer either to the Werth or south; (2) it tends to restrict the movement of hioh pressure eystems and thus enhance the possibility of air stagnation; (3) intrusions of polar air on the east slope of the Divide are prevented from reaching the nest elope; and (4) the upslope effect of the topography on eastward moving storm systems in winter increases precipitation towards the mountains, L-1