watervulnerability

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest Watershed Vulnerability Assessment, Rocky
Mountain Region (R2)
°C
Figure 16. Seasonal Increase in Maximum Average Temperature by Geographic Area
°C
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Seasonal Increase in Maximum Average Temperature
by Geographic Area
Spring Summer Fall Winter
Seasonal Increase in Minimum Average Temperature
by Geographic Area
Spring Summer Fall Winter
Figure 17. Seasonal Increase in Minimum Average Temperature by Geographic Area
Temperatures are predicted to increase across all seasons and across all geographic areas. Increases in
minimum daily temperatures will be very similar to increases in maximum daily temperature. Spring
temperatures are expected to increase the most for the Uncompahgre Plateau, San Juans, Grand Mesa, and
West Elk geographic areas. For the Uncompahgre Plateau, this spring increase may mean the difference
from being below freezing to above freezing, which will change the precipitation from snow to rain, and
which could affect snowpack melt and stream flow response. Summer temperatures are expected to
increase the most for the more easterly geographic areas (Upper Taylor and Cochetopa). Fall temperatures
are expected to increase the least for all geographic areas. However, for the Uncompahgre Plateau and the
Grand Mesa, this increase could extend the frost-free period, resulting in longer growing seasons and later
86 Assessing the Vulnerability of Watersheds to Climate Change
Uncompahgre
San Juans
Cochetopa
Upper Taylor
West Elk
Grand Mesa
Uncompahgre
San Juans
Cochetopa
Upper Taylor
West Elk
Grand Mesa