Contents preface (VII) introduction 1—37

2.3.6. Presentation of Precipitation Data
Precipitation (or rainfall) data are presented as either a mass curve of rainfall (accumulated precipitation v/s time plotted in chronological order, Fig. 2.5) or a hyetograph (rainfall intensity v/s time). Mass curves of rainfall provide the information on the duration and magnitude of a storm. Intensities of rainfall at a given time can be estimated by measuring the slope of the curve at the specified time. The hyetograph derived from the mass curve, is usually represented as a chart. The area of a hyetograph represents the total precipitation received during the period.