A Climatological Transect on the East Slope of the Front Range, Colorado

Abstract

Climatological data collected from 1952 to 1970 at four ridge sites on the east slope of the Front Range, west of Boulder, Colorado, at elevations between 2,195 m and 3,750 m are analyzed using the TAXIR data retrieval system. Significant results of the climatography include the demonstration of a much greater mean annual precipitation at the two upper stations than previously reported. The mean total exceeds 100 cm at 3,750 m. Solar radiation totals show little or no change with elevation between 2,590 and 3,750 m for the annual average. Extremes of minimum air temperature for October 1969 at the two lower stations lay outside the theoretically expected 100-year return period for these stations. Daily precipitation and maximum and minimum temperatures are analyzed in terms of 700-mb circulation types in mid-season months, 1952 to 1970. Precipitation data are also examined with respect to 700-mb wind velocity over Denver. The paper concludes with some recommendations for further studies.

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Addenda for Vol. 5, No.2, Spring 1973