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2.04.8 Climatologicallnformation <br />(1) The climate of the Grand Valley, which encompasses the Roadside North and <br />South Portals permit area, is marked by the wide seasonal range usual to <br />interior localities at this latitude. Due to the protective topography of the <br />vicinity, sudden and severe weather changes are infrequent. Temperatures are <br />moderately cold in winter and warm in summer. Precipitation falls from air of <br />Pacific origin and occurs in an unusually even distribution through out the year. <br />Surtace facilities for the Roadside North and South Portals are situated at <br />elevations from 4,750 to 4,850 feet. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric <br />Administration recording station for the Grand Junction area is located at the <br />Municipal Airport (Walker Field) which is approximately 10 miles west of the <br />mine sites. The elevation of the weather station is 4,483 feet. Due to the <br />proximity of Walker Field with respect to the permit area, and the long recording <br />period of 74 years, the meteorological data from the weather station is believed <br />• to be representative of this permit area. <br />(a) The interior, continental location of the project area and the surrounding <br />mountains result in quite low precipitation in all seasons. The mean <br />annual precipitation for the years 1941 through 1970 is 8.41 inches. <br />Mean monthly precipitation for the same period is given in Table 8-1. <br />(b) The average speed and direction of the prevailing winds in the Roadside <br />North and South Portals permit area is approximately 8.0 miles <br />southwest. The annual wind frequency for this permit area is <br />represented by the wind rose in Figure 8-1. <br />. - 8-1 (Rev. 12/16/96) <br />