Precipitation experienced in the western part of the United States spatially varies because of the vast small-scale climatic controls that are surrounded by large-scale controls. This condition occurs primarily due to the physiographical ruggedness of the region. The seasonal distribution of maximum precipitation is influenced by intricate patterns, with different seasonal maxima mixed in specific areas. The evident characteristics of precipitation variation in the west of U.S are the different variability of precipitation between the southwest and northwest (Higgins et al., 2000). When a given region is wet, the other areas seem to be dry. The variations in precipitation have affected human activities. For example, the winter and springs precipitation supplies large quantity of water to metropolitan areas as well as used for agricultural activities. Summer variations are of less effect, although a minimal fluctuation of precipitation influences the supply of water, soil erosion and vegetation growth for animals. Precipitation patterns are affected by the interaction of climate controls elements such as latitude, topography, ocean proximity, general circulation of the atmosphere, and wind.
The variability in precipitation in the western U.S is influenced by the circulation of the atmosphere over the west Pacific and the west U.S as well as distributions on world scales (Higgins et al., 2000). The abnormalities in sea level pressure correlate with spatial data of the zonal precipitations variability delineated in the circulation of atmospheric patterns through which precipitations responds. The data of sea level anomalies were derived from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography as a reflection of monthly deviations of between 1951 and 1992. The monthly data showed means of a 5 0 latitude and 5 0 longitude grid from 42.5 0 S to 72.5 0 N (Higgins et al., 2000). The global anomaly dataset was developed by the United States National Meteorological Center.
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The topographic diversity of the western United States influences the spatial distribution of precipitation patterns among different regions. The difference in precipitation is analyzed by the calculation of the average monthly deviation of the ratio of actual evapotranspiration (AP) and the potential evapotranspiration (PE) values with the different regions. The regions experiencing winter-wet climate have higher ratio values of actual to potential evapotranspiration during the winter months while experiencing low values during the summer months. Regions interior from the Pacific shore experience low values of AP/PE which occurs in spring. The topography of a given area influences its climatic conditions. Regions with mountain ranges experience the restricted flow of air circulation. For example, California winds coming from the Pacific Ocean which carries air full of moisture towards the coast (Higgins et al., 2000). The coastal ranges allow the condensation and precipitation. Moving inland, the Sierra Nevada range allows for precipitation of the air. While on the western slope of Sierra Nevada the warm air is compressed, evaporation of the clouds and prevailing of dry conditions.
Wind influence the precipitation condition of an area because it acts as the carrier through which dry moist is brought to a particular locality. Wind is responsible for delivering warm or cold temperatures, which is dependent on the direction of the wind blow. There is an existing system of wind belts on the earth surface. However, the systems are disrupted by the distribution of water and land on the earth surface together with variance in temperatures and pressures. The difference in the cooling ability of water and land when heated. Lands heats and cools at a faster rate than water, thus in winter land is cooler having high pressure compared to the surrounding water with low pressure; therefore wind blows from the land to sea. While in the summer lander becomes hotter than adjacent water and consequently, the land exhibit low pressures and high water pressure thus winds blow from the water to the land (Higgins et al., 2000). The seasonal shift of the wind's direction makes the western US receive more precipitation during the period when the wind blows from the sea to the land.
The state of West Virginia State, for instance, experiences an average precipitation of 44 inches per year. The precipitation pattern is influenced by the geographical location of West Virginia because Allegheny Mountains surround it. The elevation of this State is approximately 500 feet which begin at Huntington and along the Ohio River (Law, & Mogil, 2011). Moving eastwards towards areas that have rolling hills and valleys, its elevation increases gradually to 2000 feet above sea level. Cities around the Ohio River experience a precipitation of 50 inches annually which is significantly influenced by orographic uplift. The regions around Allegheny Plateau experience elevation of 3,500 feet (Law, & Mogil, 2011). This is the regions which record high precipitation values. The ridgeline separates river Ohio from the Potamic watershed. A decrease in precipitation is experienced moving east of the ridge due to the effect of orographic rain-shadow.
The topographic nature of West Virginia gives it a unique and high different climatic condition of the State, especially in the Allegheny Mountains. Spruce Knob has the highest latitude in the State with 4,863 feet above the sea level. The State has a relative altitude of 1,500 feet which is the maximum among any state found east of river Mississippi. The variance in topography is evident in the United States, with other States having a change in elevation higher than 3,000 feet. On the other hand, its temperature on average is at 52 0 F. However, the difference in height towards the mountains decreases the temperature to 5 0 F (Law, & Mogil, 2011).
In conclusion, the precipitation experienced in the western part of the United States and the West Virginia spatially varies due to the vast small-scale climatic controls. The small-scale climatic controls are surrounded by large-scale controls, primarily as a result of physiographical ruggedness of these regions. An assessment of West Virginia State shows that it experiences an average precipitation of 44 inches per year. West Virginia a unique climatic condition as seen in the Allegheny Mountains as a result of its topographic nature.
References
Higgins, R. W., Leetma, A., Xue, Y., and Barnston A. (2000). Dominant factors influencing the seasonal predictability of U.S. precipitation and surface air temperature. Journal of Climate, 13 , 3994- 4016.
Law, K. T. & Mogil, M. (2011). The weather and climate of West Virginia. Journal of Weatherwise 64 (2), 12-19.
