The elevation of Davis is 15 meters above mean sea level (msl). Donner Summit at the Sierra crest is 2200 meters above msl. Blue Canyon, on Interstate 80, is 1430 meters above msl. Assume that precipitation increases linearly as elevation increases. a. If Davis receives 40 cm of precipitation annually and Donner Summit receives 160 cm of precipitation, predict the annual precipitation at Blue Canyon. Show your work. b. Are there limitations to the assumption that precipitation increases with elevation? Explain. c. The mean annual air temperature in Davis is 17 degrees C. Predict the mean annual air temperature at Blue Canyon and at Donner Summit Explain your reasoning.

Answer a): 117.7cm

Explanation: interpolation from the image shown below,

(2200-1430)/(2200-15) = (160-x)/(160-40)

770/2185 = (160-x)/120

92400 = 349600-2186x

2185x = 349600-92400

2185x = 257200

x = 257200/2185

x = 117.7cm annual precipitation

Answer b) yes,

Explanation: limitations exist such as the topography and geological characteristic of the ground below. This will affect precipation by the degree of wind hindrance they produce. Other factors like latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of these places will affect their annual precipitation due to their relative position on earth, so its not just their elevation alone.

Answer c) blue canyon will have a mean annual temperature of about 7.57°c while Donner summit's will be at about 2.44°c

Explanation: according to meteorological data, temperature drops by 1°c for approximately every 150m rise in elevation. If Davis at 15m elevation has a mean annual temperature of 17°c, then for blue canyon, temperature drop -T will be;

-T = -(1430-15)/150 x 1°c = -9.43°c

Temperature at blue canyon = 17 + (-9.43) = 7.57°c

For Donner summit,

-T = -(2200-15)/150 x 1°c = -14.56°c

Temperature at blue canyon = 17 + (-14.56) = 2.44°c