What question did this study set out to answer?

This analysis aims to evaluate the errors introduced in small-scale climate maps due to interpolation practices and contouring methods.

January 1, 1985

Small-Scale Climate Maps: A Sensitivity Analysis of Some Common Assumptions Associated with Grid-Point Interpolation and Contouring

Key Points

This analysis aims to evaluate the errors introduced in small-scale climate maps due to interpolation practices and contouring methods.
Developed algorithms for contouring on spherical surfaces and Cartesian two-space.
Used mean annual air temperatures from 100 irregularly spaced weather stations for analysis.
Estimated temperature fields over the western half of the northern hemisphere.
Error magnitudes in air temperature fields approximated in Cartesian two-space show discrepancies of 5° to 10°C compared to spherical estimates.
Significant differences identified between interpolation methods and their impact on climate mapping accuracy.

Abstract

Abstract From Shepard's (1968) local-search method, algorithms are developed for contouring on spherical surfaces and in Cartesian two-space. These algorithms are used to investigate errors on small-scale climate maps caused by the common practice of interpolating—from irregularly-spaced data points to regular-lattice nodes—and contouring in Cartesian two-space. Using mean annual air temperatures drawn from 100 irregularly-spaced weather stations, the annual air-temperature field over the western half of the northern hemisphere is estimated both on the sphere (assumed to be correct) and in Cartesian two-space. When these fields are mapped and compared, error magnitudes as large as 5° to 10° C appear in the air-temperature field approximated in Cartesian two-space. Keywords: CLIMATESURFACE MAPPINGINTERPOLATIONCONTOURING

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Authors

Cort J. Willmott

University of Delaware

Clinton M. Rowe

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

William Philpot

Cornell University

Journals

The American Cartographer

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Institutions

Cornell University

University of Delaware

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Small-Scale Climate Maps: A Sensitivity Analysis of Some Common Assumptions Associated with Grid-Point Interpolation and Contouring

Key Points

Abstract

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Authors

Journals

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References and Citations

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