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Precip Patterns
Precip Patterns
Precip Patterns
39 19' 55''
North
40 21' 56''
North
36 57' 53''
North
37 57' 12''
North
125 24' 46'' West
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area
Projection
Boundaries
States
Source: U. S. Geological Survey
Climate
Average Annual Precipitation 2005-2009
Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Miles
20
40
60
43 24' 20''
North
California Precipitation
29 30' 15''
North
33 15' 26''
North
130 15' 41'' West
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area
Projection
Boundaries
States
Source: U. S. Geological Survey
Miles
100
200
300
Pattern
Precipitation is higher in northern
California and decreases as you move
south. It also decreases as you move
inland with the exception of a strip
running along the central eastern part
of the state.
Climate
Average Annual Precipitation 2005-2009
Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Process
The southern part of the state is under
the influence of the sub-tropical highs.
High pressure means little to no precipitation. The northern part of the state
is under the influence of the sub-polar
lows. Low pressure brings precipitation.
The strip of high precipitation running
along the central eastern part of the
state is due to the presence of the
Sierra Nevada mountain range. High
precipitation occurs due to orographic
air lifting.
21 26' 38''
North
20 05' 22''
North
119 56' 44'' West
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area
Projection
Miles
200
400
600
Boundaries
States
Source: U. S. Geological Survey
Climate
Average Annual Precipitation 2005-2009
Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Pattern
The eastern half of the country has
higher precipitation than the western
half.
Process
The eastern part of the country
is under the influence of warm ocean
currents coming from the tropics.
Warm ocean water means more evaporation,
moister air and more precipitation. The
western part of the country comes under
the influence of cold ocean currents
coming from the poles. Cold ocean water
means less evaporation, dryer air and
less precipitation.