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The crest of the southern Rocky Mountains forms a
continental-scale meteorological boundary, which influences storm
trajectories and precipitation patterns. The Southern Rocky Mountains
are characterized by prevailing westerly winds. The major sources
of precipitation at locations west of the mountain crest are synoptic-scale
frontal disturbances bearing Pacific moisture. These storms lose
their moisture in decreasing amounts from west to east on successive
orographic barriers in their path. This type of storm is most prevalent
during the winter months, when precipitation is snow (~65-80% of
LV moisture falls as snow with the average annual total ~110cm).
The spring and summer moisture patterns for Loch Vale are mainly
influenced by easterly upslope storm events from the Front Range.
These storms are a result of local convective activity east of the
Continental Divide and have been attributed to the higher N-deposition
rates recorded along the eastern side of The Divide.
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