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<br />2.3 Meterology and Air Quality <br />2.3.1 Regional Climate <br />In general terms, the climate near the site is characteristic of semi- <br />arid plains regions. Typical of mid-latitudes, the upper level wincs prevail <br />from the west. However, the protective topography of the Rocky Mountains <br />greatly modifies the climate from other characteristics which are common to the <br />mid-latitudes. <br />During the winter season, low pressure systems causing abrupt changes <br />in the weather usually become disorganized at lower elevations when crossing <br />the mountains. Pacific maritime air (i.e., a moist and cool air mass) loses <br />most of its moisture when migrating across the Cascades, Sierra Nevadas and <br />Rockies; however, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico occasionally flows into <br />• the region (upslope air flow) in conjunction with these low pressure systems <br />and can cause significant precipitation. Large scale, high pressure systems <br />often linger over the front range, especially during the winter seas~m. The <br />persistence of these air mass conditions cause an abundance of clear skies, <br />light winds and sunny days with large daily temperature changes. <br />During the Sumner, the regional weather conditions are dominated by a <br />large area of relatively low pressure associated with the hot continfantal <br />effect. The days are warm, and wind speed and direction highly varieible. <br />Precipitation is normally attributed to localized thunderstorm activ•ty, <br />which varies in spatial distribution and frequency of occurrence due to <br />changes in locally available atmospheric water vapor, surface heating and <br />terrain. (See Table 2.3-1.) <br />r1 <br />LJ <br />P_14 <br />