CONTENTS
Physical Causes of Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		1
	Global Circulation Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	1
	Topography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2
	Solar Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2
History of Weather Observations at Colby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		3
Automated Weather Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		5
Data Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		5
Climatological Records at Colby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		7
	Air Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	7
	Precipitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	8
	Evaporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	10
K.A.E.S. Contribution No. 90-400-S

ABSTRACT

The climate of a region is an important natural resource. It determines the type of vegetation that predominates and the adjustments necessary for comfortable life styles. Through centuries of influence, it has played a major role in determining the types of soil that develop. Understanding climate and its variability is extremely important in predicting what it may be like in the future. Such an understanding is essential for evaluating activities that impact our environment. This report reviews the physical causes of climate and the history and types of weather data collected at Colby, Kansas. A series of tables and figures summarize nearly 100 years of weather observations.

Northwest Research-Extension Center, Richard S. White, Head
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Walter R. Woods, Director
Kansas State University