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F . Climatological Information <br /> 1 . Permit Area <br /> a . Introduction <br /> The permit area is situated in Coal Basin, an area <br /> characterized by meteorological diversity due largely to the high <br /> elevation and precipitous rise in elevation. Specifically, the <br /> lowest point within the permit area is the preparation plant area <br /> at 8 , 0001 , while the highest point is along Huntsman Ridge at <br /> 11 , 852 ' , an elevation difference of 3 , 852 ' . As a result, tempera- <br /> ture, precipitation and wind conditions are quite variable <br /> throughout the basin. <br /> Winters in Coal Basin are long, with snowfall <br /> beginning in October and continuing through May. Snowfall , <br /> moreover , is heavy . The National Weather Service Station (Redstone <br /> 4 West 8 , 000' elevation) which is situated within the permit <br /> area , near the preparation plant , recorded 228" of snow in 1978/79 ; <br /> 231 . 5" in 1979/80 , 125 . 5" in 1980/81 , 171 .0" in 1981/82, 189 . 5" <br /> in 1982/83 , 237 . 0" in 1983/84, 234 . 5" in 1984/85 „ 184" in 1986/87. <br /> Temperatures during the winter months are frigid , <br /> with lows recorded at -240 in December , 1978 ; -260 in January , <br /> 1979 ; and -290 in February, 1985 . Monthly highs rose to only 350 <br /> and 380 , respectively . <br /> Westerly wind flow prevails during the winter <br /> months . Winter snows are produced , primarily, by Pacific storm <br /> systems , although the coldest temperatures and greatest snowfall <br /> intensities occur when moist gulf air masses meet outbreaks of <br /> arctic air from Canada. <br /> 1 <br />