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Chapter 6: Arizona Climate and Riparian Areas
Characteristics of Arizona Precipitation
- Winter precipitation characteristics:
- Rain:
- long duration storms, and
- low intensity.
- Evaporation is low.
- Infiltration rates are high.
- Snowmelt in spring can also increase water storage.
Figure 6.7. Exiting winter storm with light snowfall over Prescott, Arizona.
- Summer precipitation characteristics:
- Rain:
- short duration,
- localized storms, and
- high intensity.
- Can cause localized flooding.
- Evaporation rates are high.
- Much of falling precipitation returns back to the atmosphere.
Figure 6.8. Convective summer storm over Willcox, Arizona.
- Importance to streamflows and riparian areas:
- Winter precipitation is much more important to maintaining long-term streamflows.
- Summer precipitation can cause flooding events that dramatically change the composition and function of riparian areas.
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