Laserfiche WebLink
majority of Colorado's population now lives. Precipitation, which decreases <br />gradually from the eastern border to a minimum near the mountains, increases <br />rapidly with the increasing elevation of the foothills and proximity to higher <br />ranges. The decrease in temperature from the eastern boundary westward to the <br />foothills is less than might be expected with increasing altitude. This results from <br />mountain and valley winds and greater frequency of the chinook. Below the <br />Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River, the mountain and valley winds are persistent <br />enough to modify the climate over a considerable area. Descending air currents <br />frequently prevent the stratification of air necessary for the occurrence of <br />excessive cold. As a consequence, the winter climate is milder near Canon City <br />and Penrose than anywhere else in the State. <br />CLIMATE OF MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO <br />Colorado is best known for its mountains. They occupy less of the area of <br />the state than many realize, but they profoundly impact the climate of the entire <br />region. The main feature of the mountainous area of central and western <br />Colorado is the dramatic differences in climate over short distances. With <br />elevations ranging from below 7,000 feet in the lower mountain valleys to more <br />than 14,000 feet on the highest peaks, all aspects of the climate are affected: <br />temperature, humidity, precipitation and, of course, wind. <br />In general, temperatures decrease with elevation. Summer afternoon <br />temperatures consistently decrease about 4 -5 degrees F per thousand feet. <br />Typical July afternoon temperatures are in the 70s and 80s in the lower valleys <br />but are only in the 50s and 60s in the higher mountains. But elevational <br />