Rare Element Resources
Bear Lodge Project
Canadian NI 43-101 Technical Report
October 9
th
, 2014
10135-200-46 - Rev. 0
5-2
5.2 Climate and Physiography
The Bear Lodge Mountains have a warm and relatively dry climate during summer,
followed by cold winters with variable amounts of snow. Optimal field conditions
extend from June through October.
The property lies within the Black Hills National Forest and covers the crest of the
Bear Lodge Mountains, a narrow northwest-trending range situated in northeastern
Wyoming. Physiographically, the mountains are a northwesterly extension of the
Black Hills uplift of western South Dakota. The range is characterized by rounded
grass and pine-covered mountains that reach an elevation of 6,400 feet (1,951
meters) within the property.
The mountains have moderate slopes covered by western yellow (ponderosa) pine
and aspen forest interspersed with dense thickets of brush. Narrow, grassy meadows
cover the upper reaches of seasonal drainages. The lowest point within the project
area is about 5,800 feet (1,768 meters) elevation.
The climate of Crook County varies with topography. There are two major areas: the
Bear Lodge Mountains and the lower-lying foothills and plains area. Climatic data
from the radar station referenced in the Final Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspection
Report, Former PM-1 Reactor (US Air Force Air Combat Command, December 2006)
are used for the Bear Lodge Mountains and are considered the most representative
for the study area. The following summarizes data from the radar station:
•
Average annual air temperature is 43.6°F (6.4 °C).
•
Lowest recorded temperature is -42°F (-41°C).
•
Highest recorded temperature is 105°F (40.5°C).
•
Average annual precipitation is 17.41 inches (44.2 centimeters).
•
Lowest annual precipitation was 11.58 inches (29.4 centimeters) in 1954.
•
Highest annual precipitation was 25.38 inches (64.5 centimeters) in 1964.
•
Average seasonal snowfall recorded for Sundance is 64 inches
(162.5 centimeters).
The average total precipitation in Sundance is 18.14 inches (46.1 centimeters) and
the average total snowfall is 74.6 inches (189.4 centimeters). Most of the precipitation
occurs as thunderstorms during April through July. Winds are generally from the west
or northwest. The climate at Upton is more moderate, and there is a weather station
within the city limits. The following data summarize the Upton weather:
