Overview of the PRISM model

Call Number:

Abstract:

PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) is an expert system that uses point data and a digital elevation model (DEM) to generate gridded estimates of climate parameters. Unlike other statistical methods in use today, PRISM was written by a meteorologist specifically to address climate. PRISM is well-suited to mountainous regions, because the effects of terrain on climate play a central role in the model's conceptual framework. We call it an expert system, because it attempts to mimic the process an expert would use to map climate parameters. The user interacts with the process through a graphical interface. Although PRISM was originally developed for precipitation mapping, it was quickly recognized that the model philosophy, i.e., the topographic facet is an important climatic unit and elevation is a primary driver of climate patterns, could be extended to other climate parameters. PRISM has since been used to map temperature, snowfall, weather generator statistics, and others. We give a brief overview of PRISM as it pertains to precipitation.

Notes:

Reference Code: U96DAL01IDUS

Full Citation: Daly, C. 1996. Overview of the PRISM model. PRISM Climate Group, Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. http://oldprism.nacse.org/docs/overview.html. Retrieved 12 November 1998.

Location:

URL: http://oldprism.nacse.org/docs/overview.html