Premium
Monthly mean rainfall frequency model for the central Chilean coast: some climatic inferences
Author(s) -
Saavedra N.,
Müller E. P.,
Foppiano A. J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of climatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.58
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-0088
pISSN - 0899-8418
DOI - 10.1002/joc.806
Subject(s) - climatology , latitude , environmental science , empirical orthogonal functions , mean value , meteorology , geography , geology , statistics , mathematics , geodesy
A simple empirical model giving the annual evolution of monthly mean rainfall frequency for any location along the central Chilean coast is proposed. Model hypotheses are discussed with reference to a climatic scenario, which has been found of value in developing simple empirical climatic models for coastal stations in Chile. Equations giving monthly mean rainfall frequency for any latitude as a function of the latitude of the location of maximum monthly mean pressure in Chile are presented. It is concluded that the proposed model adequately describes the observed annual evolution. Moreover, the model allows qualitative inferences to be made regarding the interaction mechanisms between the main meteorological centres of action on a regional scale, which may prove of value in identifying trends of regional climatic change. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.