Boulder has had the honor and privilege of being watched over by the majesty of Longs Peak. Towering 14,259 feet,  4350 meters above sea level, and almost 10,000 feet, 3000 meters above Boulder. We’re mile-high, with the 5280 topo line going through our back yard, right where our Buddha stands. The top of Longs, which is a LONG walk for some, and a three hour jog for others is a high point in the lives of anyone who has seen it from the bottom, made it to the top, or who have looked at it and admired it over decades. It really does never look the same.

 

Longs Peak from Peak to Peak Hwy 7  Photo Debi Dodge

The lighting is never the same. The clouds are never the same. The snow or lack of snow is never the same. The mountain does tend to remain relatively still!

 

Colorado Front Range and the Continental Divide from Lafayette.  Photo Debi Dodge

The Continental Divide which runs North-South immediately to our West is of major significance. It impacts and generally controls our Boulder weather.

The Continental Divide, a major geographic and climatic landmark, profoundly influences Boulder, Colorado’s weather. This divide, a vast mountainous ridge running from Alaska to Mexico, separates the watersheds draining into the Pacific from those draining into the Atlantic. Its presence significantly affects Boulder’s climate in several ways.

Firstly, the Continental Divide acts as a barrier to moisture-laden air masses. When moist air from the Pacific Ocean moves eastward, it’s forced upwards by the high elevations of the Divide. This orographic lift causes the air to cool and condense, leading to precipitation on the western slopes. By the time these air masses descend on Boulder’s side of the Divide, they are drier. This phenomenon, known as a rain shadow effect, contributes to Boulder’s semi-arid climate.

 

View Looking West From Boulder. It Never Gets Old and Never Stays the Same!    Photo Debi Dodge

Secondly, the Divide influences local weather patterns. The topography causes variations in wind flow and storm tracks. For instance, during winter, storms often travel along the Divide, bringing snow to Boulder, which is crucial for the city’s water supply and winter sports industry. The Divide’s orientation also affects temperature patterns. Cold air from the north can be funneled down the eastern side of the Rockies, leading to sudden temperature drops in Boulder, a phenomenon known as a “Rocky Mountain cold front.”

Moreover, the Continental Divide impacts Boulder’s weather through its effect on regional climatic systems. It plays a role in the development of larger-scale weather patterns, like the North American Monsoon, which can bring summer rains to Boulder.

In conclusion, the Continental Divide is a vital factor in shaping Boulder’s unique weather. Its influence extends from creating a rain shadow effect to affecting local wind patterns and temperature fluctuations, making it an integral part of Boulder’s environmental identity.

 

            View Looking West from Boulder                         Photo Debi Dodge

Leonard Frieling
  • Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
  • Former Judge
  • Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
  • First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
  • Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
  • Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
  • NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
  • Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
  • Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  • Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
  • Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
  • Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
  • Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
  • LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
  • http://www.Lfrieling.com
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