Since we like to identify ourselves by the state we live in, climate parameters are often provided on a state by state basis. Given that precipitation varies on very fine spatial and temporal scales, how representative are statewide values for a location in Iowa? The featured map presents a simple analysis of the correlation coefficient between the monthly statewide precipitation value and the local site's monthly total. One could think of this map as which location in the state has monthly precipitation that most resembles the statewide areal average. Intuitively (since we are a land locked state), the middle of the state is the most representative. Northwestern and extreme southeastern Iowa show up with the lowest values as they both lie at the extremes of the annual precipitation for the state. Ames shows up with the highest value, so those of us at Iowa State are the most representative of Iowa! :)

Here is the same plot split by seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter

Voting:
Good = 72
Bad = 29

Tags:   climate