An analysis of temperature records provides mean maximum and minimum monthly values, departures from the means, record temperature and a brief discussion of the local 'growing season.' The distribution of average annual precipitation both in terms of rain and snow is illustrated. Historical rainfall data for El Paso, Texas, and Alamogordo and Mountain Park, N. M., are presented along with that of Sacramento Peak. A brief history of atmospheric pressure observations and a more recent series of relative humidity observations are discussed. Analysis of wind speed and direction data shows average monthly and seasonal values.

An analysis of temperature records provides mean maximum and minimum monthly values, departures from the means, record temperature and a brief discussion of the local 'growing season.' The distribution of average annual precipitation both in terms of rain and snow is illustrated. Historical rainfall data for El Paso, Texas, and Alamogordo and Mountain Park, N.M., are presented along with that of Sacramento Peak. A brief history of atmospheric pressure observations and a more recent series of relative humidity observations are discussed. Analysis of wind speed and direction data shows average monthly and seasonal values.

We present the history of land use and historic vegetation conditions on the Sacramento Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest within the framework of an ecosystem needs assessment. We reconstruct forest vegetation conditions and ecosystem processes for the period immediately before Anglo-American settlement using General Land Office survey records, historic studies and accounts, and reconstructive studies such as dendrochronological histories of fire and insect outbreak and studies of old growth. Intensive grazing, clearcut logging, fire suppression, and agriculture in riparian areas have radically altered forest structure and processes since the 1880s, when intensive settlement began in the Sacramento Mountains. Present forests are younger and more dense than historic ones, and in areas that were previously dominated by ponderosa pine, dominance has shifted to Douglas-fir and white fir in the absence of frequent surface fire. Landscapes are more homogeneous and contiguous than historic ones, facilitating large-scale, intense disturbances such as insect outbreaks and crown fires.