HOW does the PRISM model create climate maps?
PRISM uses point measurements of climate data and a digital elevation model of terrain to create estimates of monthly climate elements. Estimates are derived for a grid, in our case a 4km grid, for ease in mapping and GIS applications. PRISM is an integrated set of rules, decision making, and calculations designed to imitate the process an expert climatologist would go through when mapping climate data. Technical Description: The PRISM system determines climate at grid cells by calculating linear relationships between the climate element in question (like precipitation) and elevation. The slope of these linear regression lines changes locally with elevation, as dictated by the available point climate data. Each grid cell estimate is then achieved by determining a separate regression function using data from many nearby climate stations. Each station in the multiple regression is weighted based on five factors: Distance, elevation, vertical layer, topographic facet, and coastal proximit
PRISM uses point measurements of climate data and a digital elevation model of terrain to create estimates of monthly climate elements. Estimates are derived for a grid, in our case a 4km grid, for ease in mapping and GIS applications. PRISM is an integrated set of rules, decision making, and calculations designed to imitate the process an expert climatologist would go through when mapping climate data. Technical Description: The PRISM system determines climate at grid cells by calculating linear relationships between the climate element in question (like precipitation) and elevation. The slope of these linear regression lines changes locally with elevation, as dictated by the available point climate data. Each grid cell estimate is then achieved by determining a separate regression function using data from many nearby climate stations. Each station in the multiple regression is weighted based on five factors: Distance, elevation, vertical layer, topographic facet, and coastal proximit
