PRISM: Precipitation-elevation Regression Independent Slopes Model
Dataset Identification:
Resource Abstract:
The PRISM Climate Mapping Program is an ongoing effort to produce and disseminate the most detailed, highest-quality spatial
climate datasets currently available. These digital climate maps are created using PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions
on Independent Slopes Model) an analytical tool that uses point data, a digital elevation model, and other spatial data sets
to generate gridded estimates of monthly, yearly, and event-based climatic parameters, such as precipitation, temperature,
snowfall, degree days, and dew point. PRISM derived data sets have been and are being used in applications of climatology,
hydrology, natural resources, global climate change, land use, planning, relocation, education, and geography. PRISM is uniquely
designed and constantly updated to map climate in the most difficult situations, including high mountains, rain shadows, temperature
inversions, coastal regions, and other complex climatic regimes. PRISM climate mapping projects are being conducted in the
United States, Canada, China, Mongolia, Europe, Pacific Islands, and elsewhere. The program is a collaboration between the
Spatial Climate Analysis Service, directed by Dr. Christopher Daly, Assistant Professor, and the Oregon Climate Service, directed
by George Taylor, State Climatologist. Both the SCAS and OCS are located on the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis.
Source of the abstract:Spatial Climate Analysis Service/Oregon Climate Service (1999): http://www.ocs.orst.edu/prism/prism_new.html
PRISM (Precipitation-elevation Regression Independent Slopes Model) is an analytical-interpolation model used to distribute
monthly and annual precipitation on a regular grid for use in vegetation modeling, hydrologic calculations and climatic studies.
This model is designed to be used to generate input for other models requiring this type of information. The model uses DEM
(Digital Elevation Models) to estimate elevation or precipitation stations and proper orographic scales. It then groups stations
into topographic scales. The model requires input in the form of monthly or annual precipitation measurements, and DEM at
2.5 or 5-minute resolutions. Output includes gridded monthly or annual precipitation estimates and a 95% prediction interval.
Source of the abstract: CIESIN (CONSORTIUM FOR INTERNATIONAL EARTH SCIENCE INFORMATION NETWORK) : [ Modeling Paradigm: Multi-criteria
analysis ] [ Model Ecosystem: Physical hazards (examples: fires, floods, air quality, water quality, carbon storage) ]
Citation
Title PRISM: Precipitation-elevation Regression Independent Slopes Model