Interpolation and Hypsometric Tints

This lab interpolated the average annual precipitation levels from 30 years across Washington State.  Isarithmic contour lines segmented the hypometric tints that represent the varying precipitation levels.  PRISM was used as the method of interpolation, and the data that was provided came with a .txt file containing very descriptive metadata.

ArcGIS Pro has a pre-selected precipitation color scheme that was used for the hypsometric tint.  The upper values of the manual interval ranges needed to be manually adjusted, as did the labels.  I downloaded two separate shapefiles of the USA and Canada boundary; I did not want to use an Esri basemap for the main map frame.  I did use a basemap for the inset map because it labeled large population centers around the subject area.

I did learn about the Prism Group as a result of this lab.  PRISM is an expert system developed at Oregon State University by the subsequently named PRISM Group.  The algorithm was designed with the process of a climatologist in mind to create climate maps.  On this map, the PRISM algorithm is used to interpolate data collected over 30 years from various control points throughout Washington State.  Isarithmic contour lines segment the hypsometric tints derived from interpolation and illustrate varying precipitation levels throughout Washington State.