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Sieve - 2.04.8 <br />The size of the mine permit area, the rugged remain, and the consequent significant elevation <br />• differences within the area result in some natural variation in climatic conditioru over the permit area. <br />Generally, temperatures are lower and precipitatron ~ greater on the exposed high plateau areas and <br />upper slopes when compared with lower slope and valley areas. Exposed southern slopes can, <br />however, become quite warm during the day, and deep valleys are subject to themtal inversions during <br />winter, trapping masses of cold air in the valleys. Local variations in precipitation maybe pronounced <br />dependent on topography, exposure, and orientation relative to prevailing wind direction. Exposures <br />may result in higher wind velocities on plateau and upper slope areas when compared with lower <br />slope, basin, and valley areas, although natural up-valley and down-valley airflow patterns resulting <br />from convective heating and cooling can ako result in strong surface winds in valleyareas. <br />Temperature <br />• <br /> <br />The closest meteorological station where temperature data have been recorded is in the Town of <br />Paonia, approxirttately 12 miles to the southwest of the mine azea. Temperature records indicate a <br />seasonal pattern with the coldest temperatures in December through February, gradual-warming <br />beginning in mid- to late-March, high seasonal temperatures in July and August, and gradual cooling <br />beginning in eazly September. Recorded temperatures range from highs in the low to mid-90's to <br />lows slightly above 0 degrees. Temperatures in the mine area are probably 5 to 10 degrees lower than <br />the recorded temperarures due to the difference in elevation between the trtine area and Paonia. Table <br />2.04.8-T1, Temperature Summary, summarizes mean, high, and low recorded temperatures for the <br />area. <br />TABLE 2.04.8-T7 <br />TEMPERATURE SUMMARY (°F) <br />Month Min. Max. Mean <br />Januar 2.4 34.3 25.6 <br />Februar 11.3 53.3 32.8 <br />March 21.1 63.6 38.9 <br />A ril 26.3 69.8 47.4 <br />Ma 36.2 79.9 56.9 <br />June 45.0 87.0 65.6 <br />Jul 51.7 91.2 71.9 <br />Au ust 51.3 90.4 70.1 <br />September 38.7 81.7 61.6 <br />October 28.6 73.5 51.1 <br />November 19.4 59.0 38.6 <br />December 7.5 49.1 28.4 <br />Prec ipitadon <br />The closest meteorological station where precipitation data have been recorded a the Wilcox Ranch <br />Station, located on Hubbard Creek east of the Town of Bowie neaz the western mine permit <br />boundary. Precipitation records indicate a relatively uniform distribution of precipitation over the <br />yt az with slightly elevated snowfall precipitation during the winter months and reduced precipitation <br />from eazly sununer through early fall Total recorded annual precipitation u approximately 16.9 inches <br />with maximum and r*++~,m,+.*+ precipitation levels during the months of March and September, <br />respectively. Table 2.04.8-T2, Precipitation Sumntaty, sn+*++*+a*+~PS montlily average precipitation for <br />the area. <br />PR04 2.04-82 Revised August 2000 <br />