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Frequency distributions for durations and volumes of rainfalls in the Eastern United States in relation to acidic precipitation

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Abstract

A significant percentage (between 17 and 40%) of all showers recorded on Long Island, NY, Urbana, IL, Franklin, NC, and Seaside Park, NJ, had durations less than 20 min. Similarly, a large percentage had durations less than 40 min (50, 46, and 32% for 3 yr at Urbana, IL, 65% at Coral Gables, FL, 50% at Franklin, NC, and 54% at Seaside Park, NJ). When all data from the six growing seasons were pooled, over 88% of all rainfalls were less than 160 min. Similar results were observed when volume measurements were made. Between 38 and 57% of all recorded showers had less than 1 mm at all five stations in the eastern United States. When all data were pooled, over 65% of all rainfalls were less than 3 mm. These data demonstrate that plant foliage is wetted during the growing season by numerous showers which are of short duration and low volume.

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Evans, L.S., Raynor, G.S. & Jones, D.M.A. Frequency distributions for durations and volumes of rainfalls in the Eastern United States in relation to acidic precipitation. Water Air Soil Pollut 23, 187–195 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206975

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206975

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