Spatial variability of short term rainfall amounts in a coastal mountain region of southern Africa

Le résumé fourni par la source

This paper discusses spatial variations in short-term rainfall in the southern Cape coastal mountain region of southern Africa. The analyses of storm rainfall totals and storm profiles reveal patterns of variability that are similar to those suggested by an earlier analysis of mean annual data in the same region. The patterns of spatial variation appear to be more consistent in winter when a lower diversity of weather patterns is responsible for generating rainfall. Superimposed upon a general increase in storm rainfall with altitude, is a pattern of local rain shadows in the lee of higher relief areas relative to rain bearing winds. For 9 continuously recording rainfall stations, storm profiles exhibit a high degree of similarity in timing and shape but not total rainfall depth. This feature suggests that the spatial variation of temporal intensity occurs on a relatively large scale. The data analysed did not suggest any consistent differences between station profiles that could be attributed to differences in weather patterns.

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