Date of Award
8-2000
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Geography
First Advisor
Dr. Elen Cutrim
Second Advisor
Dr. George Vuicich
Third Advisor
Dr. Rolland Fraser
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Hourly precipitation data from Oshtemo Township four miles (6.4 km) west of Kalamazoo, Michigan were examined for the period of July 18, 1979 through March 31, 2000.
Diurnal analysis of precipitation was performed on years, months, seasons, and the overall period of record. An overall maximum in the mean accumulation of precipitation was detected around 2000 LT, while a secondary maximum was detected during the morning hours. Elevated spring and fall accumulations were responsible for the evening maximum. Elevated summer and winter accumulations were responsible for the secondary morning maximum.
The pulse analysis of the time series of hourly precipitation showed that 91.5% of the precipitation pulses lasted 5 hours or less, with 70% lasting 1 to 2 hours. Precipitation yielding less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) accounted for 98% of the total number of pulses. Approximately 97% of the interludes were under 10 days long.
A storm event model was developed. The mean pulse duration was 2.44 hours. The mean interlude between pulses was 37.74 hours. The mean accumulation was 0.16 inches (4 mm). The mean rate was 0.06 inches per hour (2 mm h-1).
Finally, inter-annual analysis was performed for the 19-year period of 1981 through 1999.
Recommended Citation
Ruhf, Robert James, "Time Series Analysis of Twenty Year Hourly Precipitation Record in Oshtemo, Michigan" (2000). Masters Theses. 4266.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4266