RAINFALL FREQUENCY GRAPHICS
Graphs of the rainfall frequency for each of the nine climate divisions in Wisconsin have been generated from the data provided in Huff and Angel (1992). These division-averaged rainfall frequency estimates are plotted as a family of curves describing the rainfall totals for 15 storm duration intervals (from 5 minutes to 10 days) as a function of recurrence intervals ranging 2 months through 100 years.
INTERPRETATION:
For a climate division, the amount of rainfall that could be expected to be
equaled for a given recurrence interval typically increases with longer storm
durations. For example, rainfall totals in south central Wisconsin that
would have a 50-year recurrence interval range from 0.73 inches for
5-minute duration through 9.33 inches over a 10-day span. A 24-hour storm
total that would equal 6.06 inches in this division would represent a rain event
with a 50-year recurrence time.
Alternatively, a 24-hour precipitation total of 1.24 inches would have a
recurrence interval of 2-months (0.17 years), a total of 2.25 inches would have
a one-year recurrence, while a 7.06 inch or greater total would represent a once
in 100 year event. A five-day rainfall total of almost three inches (2.99
inches) could occur once in one year, while 9.36 inches would have a recurrence
interval of 100 years.
REFERENCES:
Huff, F.A. and J.R. Angel, 1992: Rainfall Frequency Atlas of
the Midwest. Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, Bulletin 71.
Available as a 123-page pdf file at
https://www.sws.uiuc.edu/pubdoc/B/ISWSB-71.pdf
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Latest revision: 23 November 2007
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