What are the factors that influence climate in the rocky mountains?

Answer 1

Rocky Mountain Climate - A General Overview Weather is controlled by the flow of air, water vapour and airborne particulates. In high school, most of us learn the water cycle, with water evaporating from lakes returning to the earth as rainfall. We also learn about the diffusion of materials from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration. Both of these processes play a critical role in the weather around us. The actual interaction of many factors will create the final package which we see as weather.

Since warm air is lighter than cold air, it will rise. Around this column of warm air, called a convective cell, there will be a corresponding area of sinking air which rushes in to fill the vacuum created by the rising warm air. This rising and dropping of air is one of many causes of air movement which we know as wind. These convective cells can occur on a very small scale, or conversely on a much larger global scale.

As air masses of varying compositions encounter one another, they will react based on the temperature of the air mass and the corresponding air pressures. The boundary between two differing air masses is called a front. Since cold air is heavy, Cold fronts will displace warm air masses abruptly upward, showing a band of rising cumulus clouds near the boundary of the two fronts. These clouds are formed when the rapidly rising warm air reaches the condensation level, the point at which the water vapour within the clouds releases heat and forms water droplets. This release of heat increases the buoyancy of the weather system and adds to the vertical buildup of the clouds.

In the opposite situation, where a warm front moves in on a cold air mass. The warm front will climb gradually over the colder air, usually forming bands of stratus clouds at progressively higher elevation.

Climate DataElev

(m)Mean

Temp

(C)Jan

High

(C)Jan

Low

(C)July

High

(C)July

Low

(C)All Time

High

(C)All Time

Low

(C)Precip

(mm)Snow

Fall

(cm)Calgary10773.9-3.6-15.723.29.536.1-45.0300.3135.4Banff13972.9-5.3-14.922.17.434.4-51.2281.2243.8Jasper10613.1-6.0-15.622.28.036.7-46.7281.6143.9Edmonton7152.1-8.7-19.822.59.435.0-48.3357.8127.1Golden7854.6-6.0-14.424.99.440.0-46.1303.6184.0Revelstoke4436.7-2.6-8.725.311.136.7-29.4612.2445.3

All Material © Ward Cameron 2005

Answer 2

Winter (December, January, February, March) Lower elevations on the east slope of Rocky Mountain National Park are usually free of deep snow. At higher elevations, arctic conditions prevail. Sudden blizzards, high winds, and deep snowpack are common. The west side of the park experiences more snow, less wind, and clear cold days during these months. Most high country overnight trips require gear suitable for -35 degrees or below. Skiing and snowshoeing conditions are best in January, February, and March. Spring (April and May) Spring comes to the montane environs - elevations 8,000' to 9,500' (2,438 - 2,895 m) - in late April, although snowfall is not uncommon at this time of year. Unpredictable weather alternates between warm and cold, wet and dry. In June, spring is just reaching the subalpine country - 9,500' to 11,500' (2,895 - 3,505 m), while summer is on the plains. Wildflowers begin blooming at lower elevations in late April or early May. Many trails are still snow-covered. In late May, Trail Ridge Road opens for the season. Summer (June, July, August)On the alpine tundra -- 11,500' to 13,000' (3,505 - 3,962 m) wildflowers bloom from late June to early August. Afternoon thunderstorms and wind are normal patterns. Always be prepared for temperature drops of 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall (September, October, November) September and October bring clear, crisp air, blue skies, and generally dry weather. An early snowstorm may occur. Aspen leaves start changing colors in mid-September. Elk mating season begins in September and continues through most of October. Trail Ridge Road usually closes for the winter by mid-October.

Answer 3

what is the weather or climate like in these rocky mountians