Seasonal and annual precipitation efficiency in canada

Abstract

Precipitation efficiency is the percent-age of the total water vapor over an area that falls to the surface as measur-able precipitation on an average day. This variable focuses attention on the dynamic mechanisms that produce different precipitation patterns in dif-ferent areas. The concept of precipita-tion efficiency is discussed and its seasonal and annual values are mapped for several Canadian stations. Maximum seasonal values occur in winter for all of the country. National highs are found on the West Coast and along the St. Lawrence Lowland, a result of the cyclonic activity in these regions. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.