Couloir air temperature and precipitation data for Niwot Ridge and Kiowa Peak, 1992 - 1993.

Air temperature and precipitation were measured on a biweekly basis, during the summer months, within couloirs above the Green Lakes and Isabelle Valleys. Tru-Chek wedge shaped rain gauges were mounted on the south side of wooden stakes so that the orifice was approximately 52 cm above the surface. The water depth (mm) in the gauge was recorded. On subsequent visits the new water depth was recorded and the reset water depth was recorded. Gauges contained 3-4 mm of oil to retard evaporation, and were emptied (reset) when water depth exceeded 50 mm or when insect accumulations exceeded 10 mm. Taylor Instruments Min-Max thermometers were mounted approximately 50 cm above ground on the north side of the same stakes, sheltered by tin and plastic shields. The current time, current temperature, maximum and minimum air temperature were recorded. Minimum and maximum air temperature markers were reset to the current temperature. Proximity to the surface and inadequate shielding resulted in anomalously high temperature readings, particularly on sunny days.