moisture index

views updated May 08 2018

moisture index A term based on the computation of an annual moisture budget by C. W. Thornthwaite (1955), and calculated from the aridity and humidity indices, as Im = 100 × (SD)/PE, where Im is the moisture index, S is the water surplus in months when precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration, D is the water deficit in months when evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation, and PE is the potential evaporation.

moisture index

views updated May 29 2018

moisture index The term used instead of ‘moisture budget’, e.g. by C. W. Thornthwaite (1955), and calculated from the aridity and humidity indices, as Im = 100 × (SD)/PE, where Im is the moisture index, S is the water surplus, D is the water deficit, and PE is the potential evapotranspiration.

moisture index

views updated Jun 27 2018

moisture index The term used instead of ‘moisture budget’ (e.g. by C. W. Thornthwaite (1955)), and calculated from the aridity and humidity indices, as Im = 100 × (SD)/PE, where Im is the moisture index, S is the water surplus, D is the water deficit, and PE is the potential evapotranspiration.

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