Data Analysis for Infiltration Modeling: Extracted Weather Station Data Used to Represent Present-Day and Potential Future Climate Conditions in the Vicinity of Yucca Mountain

The purpose of this analysis is to identify, extract, and reformat weather (meteorological) data that is appropriate for use as input to an infiltration model, within the Yucca Mountain region. The analysis uses relevant meteorological data (e.g., precipitation and temperature) from source stations, and reformats or converts the data into a form suitable for the generation of meteorological conditions for a 10,000-year future climate in the Yucca Mountain region. This analysis falls under the guidance of Technical Work Plan for: Infiltration Model Assessment, Revision, and Analyses of Downstream Impacts (BSC 2006 [DIRS 177492], Task 1). Planning and preparation of this report was initiated under the Bechtel SAIC Company, LLC (BSC), Quality Assurance (QA) Program. Therefore, forms and associated documentation prepared prior to October 2, 2006, the date this work transitioned to the Lead Laboratory, were completed in accordance with BSC procedures. Forms and associated documentation executed after October 2, 2006, were prepared in accordance with Lead Laboratory procedures. The selected meteorological site and station locations, and the types of weather data extracted from records of said locations (Sections 1.1 to 1.4), are used to represent the range of present-day and future climate conditions within the Yucca Mountain vicinity. Meteorological data extracted from locations outside the Yucca Mountain vicinity are meant to approximate climate conditions within the area during a projected monsoonal and glacial transition climatic period that is expected to occur within the next 10,000 years. These “future proxy climate locations” are listed in Future Climate Analysis (BSC 2004 [DIRS 170002], Table 6-1). Weather data presented in this analysis will subsequently be abstracted by the downstream user as inputs to an infiltration model (BSC 2006 [DIRS 177492]).
Meteorological conditions described herein were measured and recorded within limited timeframes, and within a limited spatial location. Thus, the data, alone, have limitations in that meteorological conditions represent a finite timeframe and locale. Any extrapolation of data used to represent meteorological conditions over a broader area, or over an expanded timeframe, must be justified by the downstream user. Data products of this analysis may be used to perform tasks identified in the technical work plan (BSC 2006 [DIRS 177492]).