Water Balance Essay

M5A1 Project 1 Water Balances
GEOL108 Earth Science and Societies

WATER BUDGET FOR TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA (Figure 2) J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
P
7.4
6.8
9.6
9.4
10.1
10.2
8.1
8.2
8.7
6.9
8.4
7.5
PE
0
0
1.8
4.9
10.2
13.4
15.8
13.8
9.9
5.2
1.7
0.1
P-PE
7.4
6.8
7.8
4.5
-0.1
-3.2
-7.7
-5.6
-1.2
1.7
6.7
7.4
Change in ST
0
0
0
0
-0.1
-3.2
-6.7
0
0
1.7
6.7
7.4
ST
10
10
10
10
9.9
6.7
0
0
0
1.7
8.4
10
AE
0
0
1.8
4.9
10.2
13.4
14.8
8.2
8.7
1.7
6.7
7.4
D
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
5.6
1.2
0
0
0
S
7.4
6.8
7.8
4.5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.1

According to Gildemeister, Berkeley is a west-coast Mediterranean climate (distinct wet and dry seasons). In the late spring and early fall, strong offshore winds of sinking air typically develop, bringing heat and dryness to the area. In the spring, this is not usually a problem as vegetation is still moist from winter rains, but extreme dryness prevails by the fall. The warmest and driest months are typically June through September, with the highest temperatures occurring in September. Mid-summer (July-August) is often a bit cooler due to the sea breezes and fog which are normally most strongly developed then (Gildemeister, 2004, p. 109). Gildemeister also mentions the main controlling factor over the characteristics of the Mediterranean climate is the alternating influence of the subtropical high in summer and Westerlies during the winter (p. 111). During the summer, the subtropical high has expanded to its largest extent and most pole ward position, exerting its influence on subtropical west coasts between 30o and 40o N and S latitude. Subsiding air from the high creates stable atmospheric conditions when coupled with cold ocean currents along these coasts (p. 111, ¶ 3).

Terre Haute has a mid-latitude continental climate. Ritter explains that rainfall in is fairly evenly