New 2012 precipitation frequency estimation analysis for Alaska : musings on data used and the final product.

PDFTech ReportINE/AUTC 13.11FHWA-AK-RD-13-04Precipitation (Meteorology)Data collectionEstimatingAnalysis of varianceStatistical samplingAlaskaAlaska. Dept. of Transportation and Public FacilitiesKane, Douglas L.Stuefer, SvetlanaAlaska University Transportation CenterAlaska. Dept. of Transportation. Research, Development, and Technology TransferUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThe major product of this study was a precipitation frequency atlas for the entire state of Alaska; this atlas is available athttp://dipper.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/. The process of contributing to this study provided an opportunity to (1) evaluate thecomplete precipitation data-collection program for Alaska and (2) compare the new precipitation frequency estimates withthose published in 1963. It has been known for some time that the precipitation data-collection program in Alaska has manylimitations and challenges. This present report summarizes the limitations of the data collection program identified duringthe study and includes a comparison of the 1963 and 2012 results for selected stations at major population centers. Theauthors hope that this report will lead to improvements in data collection so that better precipitation frequency estimates canbe made in the future