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Browsing by Author "Skaggs, Richard H."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Climate of Minnesota: Part XVI Incoming and Reflected Solar Radiation at St. Paul
    (Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, 1987) Baker, Donald G.; Ruschy, David L.; Skaggs, Richard H.
    Solar radiation is the driving force for weather systems that constantly form , dissipate, and reform as they circle the globe. The same can be said for the relationship of the hydrologic cycle to solar radiation. A portion of the solar beam is collected in green matter as an integral element in photosynthesis, and, in a different form, solar energy has been stored in the coal , oil , and gas reserves of the earth. In effect, solar radiation is the essential element for all natural processes taking place on the earth. Today, the direct capture of solar radiation for heat and energy is part of a technology developing to replace or supplement the more standard energy sources of coal, oil, and gas. The objective of this study is to provide solar radiation information that is both broader and more detailed than provided in the preceding publications dealing with solar radiation in Minnesota (Baker, 1971; Baker and Klink, 1975; and Baker, 1977).
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    Crop production response to moisture supply in Minnesota.
    (University of Minnesota, Water Resources Research Center, 1987-06) Brown, Dwight A.; Gersmehl, Carol A.; Drake, Janet; Skaggs, Richard H.
    The purpose of this report is to define how variations in moisture affect state-wide crop production. To accomplish this goal we controlled geographic variations in the response of crops to changing technology, and regional differences in the severity and timing of wet and dry periods. The regional differences from local norms or unexpected values. Technology changes are controlled by subtracting the general trend in yield from the actual yield technology.
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    Effects of Climate Variability and "Greenhouse Effect"--Scenarios on Minnesota's Water Resources
    (Water Resources Research Center, University of Minnesota, 1992-06) Baker, Donald G.; Newman, Lynn E.; Skaggs, Richard H.
    We examined the sensitivity of Minnesota's water resources to predicted climate changes due to global wanning. Statistical models, for the current climate, of the relationship between seasonal moisture surplus (Thornthwaite water budget method) and seasonal river discharge were built for nine watersheds in Minnesota. Global Climate Model predicted temperature changes and precipitation ratios were used to adjust the observed climatic record. The moisture surplus values were recalculated for this doubled C02 world and became the predictor variables in the statistical models. The results indicate a general and substantial decrease in river discharge. However, there is great spatial variation in the magnitude of the decrease. Mean annual discharge decreases ranged from 0.3% for the St. Louis River to 18% for the Blue Earth River. The individual annual discharges were about evenly split between increases and decreases for the St. Louis River while there were only four years (out of 47) with increased discharge for the Blue Earth River. All nine basins showed increased discharge during the first season (three months) of the year largely because increased temperatures shifted the snow melt period to an earlier month. The second season (April through June) had most extensive and largest decreases. In the third season (July through September) decreases were large (13% to 31 %) for the southern and central river basins but were modest (2% to 7%) for the northern basins. During the last three months of the year, five basins had increased discharge and four basins, especially the Mississippi at both Anoka and St. Paul, had decreases. Thus, the southern and central portions of Minnesota would experience substantial decreases in discharge but the northern third of the state would see only modest decreases.
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    Intensity of Extreme Rainfall Events Over Minnesota
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 1998-11) Skaggs, Richard H.
    This study looks at precipitation design values, among the most important and widely used pieces of climatological information. Researchers explored the question of whether a high-density network can result in more realistic time series of annual 24-hour extreme precipitation amounts. They also looked at the possible impact of the variability and fluctuations of climate, since standard sources assume a static climate. Study areas included Minneapolis and St. Paul, and an area west of Duluth, Minnesota, near Hibbing. The following highlights study conclusions: * The spatial variability of the design values estimated for 20 km by 20 km is far too great to make that approach practical. * Based on the experience with the Hibbing study area, it is likely that the density of observations over large parts of the state would be too small to allow using 10 km by 10 km or 20 km by 20 km areas. * If the purpose of the design values is to provide guidance on extreme precipitation likely to be experienced a point, the current standard sources underestimate the values about one inch for a 24-hour duration and 100-year return period. * If the purpose of the design values is to provide guidance on extreme precipitation likely to be experienced at some point over an area, the current standard sources greatly underestimate the values. * There are no long-term trends in the magnitude of extreme precipitation events.
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    Minnesota drought.
    (University of Minnesota, Water Resources Research Center, 1987-05) Swerman, Rodney R.; Baker, Donald G.; Skaggs, Richard H.
    Drought is an ordinary and expected part of the climate of any location. However, there are a few measures of drought and often it is difficult to recognize when a drought has begun and when it has ended. In the United States, the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)is the most commonly employed measure of drought. Examination of the averages and variability of the PDSI is needed to draw conclusions about the temporal and geographic patterns of drought over Minnesota is to be drawn.
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    Relationship between climate and the mean annual flow of the Mississippi River at St. Paul
    (University of Minnesota Water Resources Research Center, 1987-06) Skaggs, Richard H.; Brown, Dwight A.
    This study demonstrates the use of the simulation of water balance for large areas. It examines the statistical relationship between the mean annual flow of the Mississippi River at St. Paul and the water balance surpluses (water not used in evapotranspiration and soil moisture storage) for the six climatological divisions of Minnesota that contribute to the drainage of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers in Minnesota.