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REGIONAL CLIMATE DATA <br /> The Coal Basin Mine is located in an alpine and subalpine <br /> environment, the winters are characterized by mild temperatures <br /> and pleasant conditions (Mid-Continent , 1977) . The alpine <br /> environment and the range in elevation of over 4000 ft . create <br /> an environment where temperatures and precipitation events will <br /> vary a great deal over relatively short distances , elevation <br /> changes, and time. Figure 783 . 16-1 , Climatic Conditions in <br /> Western Colorado, illustrates in graph form, the variations of <br /> precipitation, temperature, and length of growing seasons for <br /> changes in elevation from 4000 ft . to 14, 000 ft. <br /> Table 783. 16-1, Climatological records 1978-1979 Coal Basin <br /> Mine, tabulates records on precipitation as snowfall and rain <br /> and maximum and minimum temperature readings for a period <br /> beginning January 1978 . Table 783 . 16-2, Regional Climatological <br /> Records gives maximum, mean, and minimum temperature and <br /> precipitation data for other nearby alpine and subalpine <br /> environments for periods starting as -early as 1901. Approx- <br /> imately 70% of the precipitation occurs as snow. With the <br /> alpine environment of the area, this snow will accumulate over <br /> winter months and melt during late spring -and early summer <br /> months . <br /> Precipitation during summer months is most likely to occur <br /> as localized thunderstorms . The impact of these storms on <br /> the surface water hydrology can result in a rapid runoff and, <br /> during periods of spring thaw, a rapid melting of snow <br />