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Spatial analysis of variations in precipitation intensity in the USA

Theoretical and Applied Climatology volume 104, pages 415–421 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, we used various spatial analytical methods to examine variations and trends in precipitation intensity in the conterminous USA. We found that three different measures of precipitation intensity were highly correlated; intensity increased in a spatially coherent fashion in the northeastern quarter of the USA and generally decreased in the center portion of the western USA. Evidence is presented that spatial and temporal patterns in the trends of precipitation intensity are related to the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation. Our results are generally in agreement with others who are reporting an upward trend in precipitation intensity during a period when the planet appears to have warmed.

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Acknowledgments

This material is based upon a work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. SES-0345945 Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) and NSF Grant No. 0751790. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The authors thank R.S. Vose and others at the National Climatic Data Center who supplied the HCN data for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, 85287, AZ, USA

    Robert C. Balling Jr.

  2. Department of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, 42101, KY, USA

    Gregory B. Goodrich

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  1. Robert C. Balling Jr.
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  2. Gregory B. Goodrich
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Correspondence to Robert C. Balling Jr..

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Balling, R.C., Goodrich, G.B. Spatial analysis of variations in precipitation intensity in the USA. Theor Appl Climatol 104, 415–421 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-010-0353-0

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Keywords

  • Pacific Decadal Oscillation
  • Precipitation Intensity
  • Standardize Regression Coefficient
  • Anthropogenic Climate Change
  • Extreme Precipitation Event