Visualizing Spatial Heterogeneity of Western U.S. Climate Variability

Earth Interactions

Jacqueline J.Shinker¹ 

关键词: Western United States;    Climate variability;    Data visualization;   

DOI  :  10.1175/2010EI323.1

学科分类：地球科学(综合)

来源: American Geophysical Union

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Monthly climatologies (1971–2000 monthly averages) for stations in the western United States, obtained from the NOAA/National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), are used to illustrate the spatial variations in the annual cycle of climate. Animated map sequences of temperature and precipitation, their average, intermonthly changes, and the local timing of annual maxima or minima provide a comprehensive spatiotemporal baseline of regional climate. The animated maps illustrate three scales of variation: 1) broadscale patterns related to the annual cycle of insolation and hemispheric-scale atmospheric circulation features; 2) mesoscale patterns related to location on the continent and the influence of specific regional circulation features like those associated with the North American monsoon; and 3) smaller-scale spatial variations, related to the mediation by local physiography of the influence of large-scale circulation. Although most western U.S. stations have temperature maxima in July, a delay occurs...

【 授权许可】

Unknown