•Simulations of the meteorology of Gale crater with the Mars regional atmospheric modeling system compare favorably to the data recorded by the rover environmental monitoring station aboard the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover.•Simulations are conducted for periods covering Ls 0, 90, 180 and 270.•The model may be used to provide context for the observations and to elucidate the physics behind the variations of the observed meteorological parameters. Air temperature, ground temperature, pressure, and wind speed and direction data obtained from the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station onboard the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity are compared to data from the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System. A full diurnal cycle at four different seasons (Ls 0, 90, 180 and 270) is investigated at the rover location within Gale crater, Mars. Model results are shown to be in good agreement with observations when considering the uncertainties in the observational data set. The good agreement provides justification for utilizing the model results to investigate the broader meteorological environment of the Gale crater region, which is described in the second, companion paper.