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<br /> <br />Wind fields near the mine site are complicated by local terrain <br />• features as well as the Rocky Mountain barrier. However, tw~~ distinct <br />wind scales predominate: synoptic and local. On a synoptic scale, <br />above the atmosphere's first three to five thousand feet, air flow is <br />from the western quadrant. The dominance of the prevailing t~esterlies <br />depends upon the location and strength of major storm activii:y patterns. <br />Wind fields in the surface or boundary layer are significantly in- <br />fluenced by local terrain. Local mountain-valley flow is forced by <br />three-dimensional variations in the local temperature patterns. During <br />the day, differential heating of valley slopes causes an up-Malley air flow. <br />At night, higher elevations cool more rapidly than the valle;~ floor and <br />the temperature gradient causes down-valley flow. <br />The climate data in Table K-1 are summarized according i:o seasonal <br />precipitation, and average temperature values observed durin!~ 1976. <br />• Additionally, the departure from normal of the temperature d~ita has <br />been included. This information is taken from the monthly climatological <br />summaries for 1976 compiled by the hlational Oceanic and Atmospheric <br />Administration (NOAA). The measuring station is located at -the offices <br />of the fdational Bureau of Standards at an elevation of 5420 reet, at <br />40°00' W, 105°16' W in Boulder, Colorado. The station is lo~:ated <br />approximately 10 miles north-northeast of the mine site and 'is considered <br />the most representative data available. <br />K-2 <br />