Mesoscale storm and dry period parameters from hourly precipitation data

Abstract

Hourly precipitation data from 89 first-order National Weather Service stations in the northeastern United States are used to define seasonal storm (wet-period) and dry-period statistics. Mean values of regional storm and dry-period duration and of precipitation rates for storms and precipitation events for each season are calculated. Frequency distributions of regional storm and dry period duration allow comparison of seasonal variations and characteristics. Such statistics serve as input parameters for studies and models developed to provide a better understanding of the deposition of acidic pollutants by precipitation.