isohyetal

An isohyetal is a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal accumulated precipitation over a given period. These lines are also known as isohyets. Isohyetal maps are a common tool used in meteorology, hydrology, and agriculture to visualize and analyze rainfall patterns. The term "isohyetal" itself is derived from Greek roots: "iso" meaning equal, and "hyetos" meaning rain.

The construction of an isohyetal map involves collecting precipitation data from a network of weather stations. Once the data is gathered, isolines are drawn at specific intervals, representing a chosen amount of rainfall, such as 10 mm, 20 mm, or 100 mm. The closer the isohyets, the more rapid the change in precipitation over that area. Isohyetal maps are valuable for understanding regional precipitation distribution, identifying drought-prone areas, planning water resource management, and assessing agricultural suitability. They provide a clear visual representation of where rainfall is abundant and where it is scarce.