Climate of the Coconino Plateau Basin

Climate data from NOAA/NWS Co-op Network, Evaporation Pan and SNOTEL/Snowcourse stations are complied in Table 6.1-1 and the locations are shown on Figure 6.1-3.  Figure 6.1-3 also shows precipitation contour data from the Spatial Climate Analysis Service (SCAS) at Oregon State University.  The Coconino Plateau Basin does not contain AZMET stations.  More detailed information on climate in the planning area is found in Section 6.0.3.  A description of the climate data sources and methods is found in Volume 1, Appendix A.

NOAA/NWS Coop Network

• Refer to Table 6.1-1A

Evaporation Pan

• Refer to Table 6.1-1B
• There is one evaporation pan station in the basin, Grand Canyon National Park 2.  This pan is at 6,790 feet and has an annual evaporation rate of 44.04 inches.

SNOTEL/Snowcourse

• Refer to Table 6.1-1D
• There are four SNOTEL/Snowcourse stations in the basin, one at the Grand Canyon and the others located in the San Francisco Peaks area.
• The highest average monthly snowpack at most stations is in April. 

SCAS Precipitation Data

• See Figure 6.1-3
• Additional precipitation data shows average annual rainfall as high as 40 inches at the southeastern tip of the basin and as low as four inches along the Colorado River.

Click for Figure 6.1-3 Coconino Plateau Basin

Meteorologic Stations and Annual Precipitation