US Precipitation Map¶
An interactive map showing average annual precipitation (rainfall) across the United States.
About This MicroSim¶
This choropleth map visualizes precipitation patterns:
- Dark green = Wettest states (60+ inches/year)
- Light yellow = Driest states (under 15 inches/year)
- Hover over any state to see exact precipitation data
Key Concepts Demonstrated¶
- Desert regions (Southwest) receive the least precipitation
- Gulf Coast and Southeast receive the most rain
- Pacific Northwest coast is wet, but eastern Washington/Oregon are dry
- Precipitation affects what can grow and where people live
Lesson Plan¶
Learning Objective: Students will analyze precipitation patterns and explain regional differences.
Bloom's Taxonomy Level: Analyze (L4)
Activities:
- Find Extremes (5 min): Identify the wettest and driest states
- Regional Patterns (5 min): Compare Southeast vs. Southwest precipitation
- Discussion (5 min): Why do coastal areas often get more rain?
Technical Notes¶
- Built with Leaflet.js choropleth visualization
- State boundaries from PublicaMundi GeoJSON
- Data represents average annual precipitation
Related Concepts¶
- Precipitation
- Climate Definition
- Regions Definition
- Physical Maps