Understand how rainfall shaped the western United States in the late 1800s.
This report compiles official charts and tables showing annual, monthly, and mean precipitation across Washington Territory, Oregon, California, and adjoining states and territories, as compiled by the U.S. Signal Office in 1888.
This edition presents a detailed collection of charts and data that track rainfall and melted snow for numerous stations. It explains how the figures were gathered, how the lines on the maps were drawn, and what the data suggest about droughts, irrigation potential, and land use in the arid and semi-arid west. The material is aimed at lawmakers, planners, and readers interested in the practical and policy implications of rainfall records.
- Monthly means, maximums, and minimums of precipitation for each region covered.
- A table summarizing the number of stations and the length of observations referenced.
- Explanations of data sources, station coverage, and interpolation methods used on the maps.
- Context on how rainfall data informed policy and infrastructure decisions in the era.
Ideal for readers who research historical climate, government reports, or the development of the American West.