The Distribution and Variability of Cold-Front Precipitation1

Abstract

Radar data are used to investigate wintertime cold-front precipitation patterns in the vicinity of Cambridge, Massachusetts. No significant correlation was found to exist between the extent of precipitation as indicated by radar-scope coverage and selected synoptic parameters—with the exception of the Instability Index which proved to be significant at the 5 per cent level. Further comparison is made between the average precipitation amounts as indicated by the climatological network of rain gauges and the same synoptic parameters. Again, a significant correlation was found to exist only for the Instability Index.