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Colorado, for the most part, has a cool, bracing climate. During summer
it is sometimes hot during the day on the plains, a heat that is often
relieved by afternoon thundershowers. The mountain regions are almost
always cool. Humidity is usually low so that the climate is relatively
comfortable even on hot days. Colorado’s thin atmosphere allows
greater penetration of solar radiation, resulting in pleasant daytime
conditions even during the winter.
The climate of local areas is profoundly affected by differences in
elevation, and extreme variations occur within short distances. While
temperature decreases and precipitation generally increases with altitude,
such patterns are modified by the orientation of mountain slopes with
respect to the prevailing winds, and by the effect of other topographical
features in regards to creating local air movements.
Thunderstorms are quite prevalent in Colorado and can become very severe.
Tornadoes are almost unheard of in the mountains or in the west and
are relatively rare over the eastern plains. Other severe storms include
the blizzards of the eastern plains and the heavy snows in the high
mountains that create the danger of avalanches. |
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