A statistical analysis of monthly rainfall for Monterey Peninsula and the Carmel Valley in Central California

Abstract

This thesis presents a statistical analysis of the monthly rainfall for the Monterey Peninsula and the Carmel Valley in Central California. The analysis begins with the simple first-order autoregressive Markov model, which is found to be weak. Next, 2X2 contingency tables are used to identify predictors, one of which is found to be January rainfall. Finally, logistic analysis is used to quantify the predictive ability of January. This paper attempts to analyze rainfall time series in the statistical sense. No attempt is made to provide a physical explanation of the findings from the point of view of a meteorologist.