Editing Colorado (section)

===Eastern Plains===

The climate of the Eastern Plains is [[semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: [[Cold semi-arid climate|''BSk'']]) with low humidity and moderate precipitation, usually from {{convert|15|to|25|in|abbr=off|mm|sp=us}} annually, although many areas near the rivers are semi-humid climate. The area is known for its abundant sunshine and cool, clear nights, which give this area a great average [[diurnal temperature variation|diurnal temperature range]]. The difference between the highs of the days and the lows of the nights can be considerable as warmth dissipates to space during clear nights, the heat radiation not being trapped by clouds. The Front Range urban corridor, where most of the population of Colorado resides, lies in a pronounced [[rain shadow|precipitation shadow]] as a result of being on the [[Leeward|lee]] side of the Rocky Mountains.<ref name="usgsFRUC1978">{{cite report |last1=Hansen |first1=Wallace R. |last2=Chronic |first2=John |last3=Matelock |first3=John |date=1979|orig-year=first published 1978|title=Climatography of the Front Range Urban Corridor and vicinity, Colorado |work=Geological Survey Professional Paper 1019|publisher=USG Printing Office|place=Washington, DC |url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1019/report.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1019/report.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=March 21, 2016 }}</ref>

In summer, this area can have many days above {{convert|95|°F|°C|abbr=on}} and often {{convert|100|°F|°C|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Climate of Colorado">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/COLORADO.htm |title=Climate of Colorado |website=Wrcc.dri.edu |access-date=April 1, 2016 |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407210955/http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/COLORADO.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the plains, the winter lows usually range from {{convert|25|to|-10|F|C}}. About 75% of the precipitation falls within the growing season, from April to September, but this area is very prone to droughts. Most of the precipitation comes from thunderstorms, which can be severe, and from major snowstorms that occur in the winter and early spring. Otherwise, winters tend to be mostly dry and cold.<ref name="Denver-Colorado-United-States-of-America">{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=096427&refer=&cityname=Denver-Colorado-United-States-of-America|title=Denver, Colorado Travel Weather Averages|publisher=Weatherbase |access-date=July 10, 2013}}</ref>

In much of the region, March is the snowiest month. April and May are normally the rainiest months, while April is the wettest month overall. The Front Range cities closer to the mountains tend to be warmer in the winter due to [[Chinook wind]]s which warms the area, sometimes bringing temperatures of {{convert|70|°F|°C|abbr=on}} or higher in the winter.<ref name="Denver-Colorado-United-States-of-America" /> The average July temperature is {{convert|55|°F|°C|abbr=on}} in the morning and {{convert|90|°F|°C|abbr=on}} in the afternoon. The average January temperature is {{convert|18|°F|°C|abbr=on}} in the morning and {{convert|48|°F|°C|abbr=on}} in the afternoon, although variation between consecutive days can be {{convert|40|°F|°C|abbr=on}}.