Skip Navigation Link www.nws.noaa.gov  
NOAA logo - Click to go to the NOAA homepage National Weather Service   NWS logo - Click to go to the NWS homepage
Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center
   
 
 
 

Current Precipitation Frequency Information and Publications

Viewing many of the PMP and PF documents requires the DjVu Browser Plug-in. Viewing some documents may require the Adobe Reader.
To download the DjVu plug-in, click here. To download the Adobe Acrobat Reader plugin, click here.
The DjVu plug-in works best with Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher. NOTE: To print a copy of the page you are viewing, use the print icon within the DjVu Browser Plug-in. Do not use the browser print icon or menu because it does not have the same functionality. Some of the documents below are available for download as the "full document" as well as in "parts" to accommodate those with slower internet connections due to the large file sizes. Click on the links below to view.

CURRENT NWS PRECIPITATION FREQUENCY PUBLICATIONS

State 5 minute -
60 minute		 2 hour - 24 hour 2 day - 10 day
Alabama Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Alaska Tech. Paper 47 (1963) Tech. Paper 47 (1963) Tech. Paper 52 (1965)
Arizona NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Arkansas Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
California (southeast) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
California (west & north) Frederick & Miller (1979) NOAA Atlas 2 (1973) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Colorado Arkell & Richards (1986) NOAA Atlas 2 (1973) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Connecticut Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Delaware NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
District of Columbia NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Florida Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Georgia Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Hawaii Tech. Paper 43 (1962) Tech. Paper 43 (1962) Tech. Paper 51(1965)
Idaho Arkell & Richards (1986) NOAA Atlas 2 (1973) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Illinois NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Indiana NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Iowa Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Kansas Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Kentucky NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Louisiana Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Maine Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Maryland NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Massachusetts Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Michigan Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Minnesota Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Mississippi Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Missouri Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Montana Arkell & Richards (1986) NOAA Atlas 2 (1973) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Nebraska Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Nevada NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
New Hampshire Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
New Jersey NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
New York Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
North Carolina NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
North Dakota Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Ohio NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Oklahoma Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Oregan Arkell & Richards (1986) NOAA Atlas 2 (1973) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Pennsylvania NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Puerto Rico NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Rhode Island Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
South Carolina NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
South Dakota Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Tennessee NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Texas Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
U.S. Virgin Islands NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Utah NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Vermont Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Virginia NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Washington Arkell & Richards (1986) NOAA Atlas 2 (1973) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
West Virginia NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003) NOAA Atlas 14 (2003)
Wisconsin Tech. Memo 35 (1977) Tech. Paper 40 (1961) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
Wyoming Arkell & Richards (1986) NOAA Atlas 2 (1973) Tech. Paper 49 (1964)
  • NOAA Atlas 14, Precipitation Frequency Atlas for the United States: Volume 1 - The Semiarid Southwest (2003). Volume 2 - The Ohio River Basin and Surrounding States (2004). Available on-line only.

  • NOAA Atlas 2, Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the Western United States, (1973). Generalized maps are presented for 6- and 24-hr point precipitation for the return periods of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years. Equations and interpolation diagrams are provided for determining values for durations less than 24 hours and for intermediate return periods. Area reduction curves for adjusting point values for areas up to 400 square miles are included. This Atlas is published is published in separate volumes for each of the States.

Superceeded by NOAA Atlas 14

   NOAA Atlas 2, Volume I.      Montana

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Volume I - Montana Full Document                                                 (47.6 MB)
Part 1 Introduction and Table of Contents (5 MB)
Part 2 Analysis (17.9 MB)
Part 3 Interpretation (2.6 MB)
Part 4 Montana and References (213 KB)
Part 5 6hr precipitation maps (10.1 MB)
Part 6 24hr precipitation maps (10.2 MB)

    NOAA Atlas 2, Volume II.     Wyoming

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Volume II - Wyoming - Full Document                                                 (33.8 MB)
Part 1 Introduction and Table of Contents (3.2 MB)
Part 2 Analysis (13.1 MB)
Part 3 Interpretation (1.9 MB)
Part 4 Wyoming and References (2.8 MB)
Part 5 6hr precipitation maps (6.7 MB)
Part 6 24hr precipitation maps (7 MB)
Part 7 Region maps (392 KB)

    NOAA Atlas 2, Volume III.   Colorado

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Volume III - Colorado - Full Document                                                  (53.8 MB)
Part 1 Introduction and Table of Contents (4.8 MB)
Part 2 Analysis (15.2 MB)
Part 3 Interpretation (2.1 MB)
Part 4 Colorado and References (3.7 MB)
Part 5 6hr precipitation charts (7.3 MB)
Part 6 24hr precipitation charts (7.5 MB)
Part 7 6hr probability charts (6.9 MB)
Part 8 24hr probability charts (7.2 MB)
Part 7 Region map (547 KB)

 

    NOAA Atlas 2, Volume IV.  New Mexico - Superseded by NOAA Atlas 14.

   
    NOAA Atlas 2, Volume V.     Idaho

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Volume V - Idaho - Full Document                                                 (41 MB)
Part 1 Introduction and Table of Contents (4.7 MB)
Part 2 Analysis (15.7 MB)
Part 3 Interpretation (2.2 MB)
Part 4 Idaho and References (3.8 MB)
Part 5 6hr precipitation maps (7.7 MB)
Part 6 24hr precipitation maps (7.8 MB)
Part 7 Region Maps (552 KB)

   NOAA Atlas 2, Volume VI.       Utah - Superseded by NOAA Atlas 14.

   
   NOAA Atlas 2, Volume VII.   Nevada - Superseded by NOAA Atlas 14.


   NOAA Atlas 2, Volume VIII.   Arizona - Superseded by NOAA Atlas 14.


   NOAA Atlas 2, Volume IX.    Washington

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Volume IX - Washington - Full Document                                                  (44 MB)
Part 1 Introduction and Table of Contents (4.9 MB)
Part 2 Analysis (16.8 MB)
Part 3 Interpretation (2.4 MB)
Part 4 Washington and References (4.5 MB)
Part 5 6hr precipitation charts (8 MB)
Part 6 24hr precipitation charts (8.5 MB)
Part 7 Region Maps (664 KB)

    NOAA Atlas 2, Volume X.     Oregon

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Volume X - Oregon - Full Document                                                 (44.6 MB)
Part 1 Introduction and Table of Contents (4.8 MB)
Part 2 Analysis (15.6 MB)
Part 3 Interpretation (2.3 MB)
Part 4 Oregon and References (4.4 MB)
Part 5 6hr precipitation maps (9.1 MB)
Part 6 24hr precipitation maps (9.4 MB)
Part 7 Region Maps (537 KB)

    NOAA Atlas 2, Volume XI.    California

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Volume XI - California - Full Document                                                (70.9 MB)
Part 1 Introduction and Table of Contents (5.2 MB)
Part 2 Analysis (17.3 MB)
Part 3 Interpretation (2.3 MB)
Part 4 California and References (5 MB)
Part 5 North 6hr precipitation maps (10.8 MB)
Part 6 North 24hr precipitation maps (10.1 MB)
Part 7 Region Maps (1.3 MB)
Part 8 South 6hr precipitation maps (10.2 MB)
Part 9 South 24hr precipitation maps (10.3 MB)
  • Technical Paper 40, Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the United States for Durations from 30 minutes to 24 Hours and Return Periods from 1 to 100 Years (1961). Rainfall-frequency values for selected durations from 30 minutes to 24 hours and return periods of 1 to 100 years are given on a series of maps. NOTE: This publication is superseded in part by Technical Memorandum NWS Hydro 35, NOAA Atlas 2 and NOAA Atlas 14.

NOAA Atlas 14, Volume link

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Technical Paper 40 Full Document                                                 (8.8 MB)
Part 1 Introduction, Table of Contents, Analysis and References (874 KB)
Part 2 1 hr rainfall maps (1.1 MB)
Part 3 2 hr rainfall maps (1 MB)
Part 4 3 hr rainfall maps (1.1 MB)
Part 5 6 hr rainfall maps (1.1 MB)
Part 6 12 hr rainfall maps (1.1 MB)
Part 7 24 hr rainfall maps (1.1 MB)
Part 8 30 min rainfall maps (1 MB)
Part 9 Probability maps (510 KB)

  • Technical Paper 43 Rainfall-Frequency Atlas of the Hawaiian Islands for Areas to 200 Square Miles, Durations to 24 Hours, and Return Periods from 1 to 100 Years
Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Technical Paper 43 Full Document                                                 (24.3 MB)
Part 1 Introduction & Table of Contents (4.7 MB)
Part 2 30 min rainfall charts (2.6 MB)
Part 3 1 hr rainfall charts (2.6 MB)
Part 4 2 hr rainfall charts (2.6 MB)
Part 5 3 hr rainfall charts (2.6 MB)
Part 6 6 hr rainfall charts (2.7 MB)
Part 7 12 hr rainfall charts (2.6 MB)
Part 8 24 hr rainfall charts (2.7 MB)
Part 9 Probability charts (1.4 MB)
  • Technical Paper 47 Probable Maximum Precipitation and Rainfall-Frequency Data for Alaska for Areas to 400 Square Miles, Durations to 24 Hours, and Return Periods from 1 to 100 Years (1963).
Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Technical Paper 47 Full Document                                                 (3 MB)
Part 1 Introduction, Table of Contents, Analysis and References (147 KB)
Part 2 1 hr rainfall maps (248 KB)
Part 3 2 hr rainfall maps (248 KB)
Part 4 3 hr rainfall maps (260 KB)
Part 5 6 hr rainfall maps (259 KB)
Part 6 12 hr rainfall maps (281 KB)
Part 7 24 hr rainfall maps (311 KB)
Part 8 30 min rainfall maps (240 KB)
Part 9 Chapter 1 (175 KB)
Part 10 Chapter 2 (614 KB)
Part 11 Chapter 3 (319 KB)
  • Technical Paper 49, Two-to-Ten-Day Precipitation for Return Periods of 2 to 100 Years in the Contiguous United States (1964)

NOAA Atlas 14, Volume link

Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Technical Paper 49 Full Document                                                  (52.9 MB)
Part 1 Introduction, Table of Contents, Analysis and References (12 MB)
Part 2 2 day precipitation maps (10.7 MB)
Part 3 4 day precipitation maps (10.6 MB)
Part 4 7 day precipitation maps (10.8 MB)
Part 5 10 day precipitation maps (10.6 MB)
  • Technical Paper 51, Two to Ten Day Rainfall for Return Periods of 2 to 100 Years in Hawaiian Islands.
Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.
Technical Paper 51 Full Document                                                  (15.8 MB)
Part 1 Table of Contents (1.6 MB)
Part 2 continued from inside front cover (564 KB)
Part 3 Pages 01 - 10 (4.3 MB)
Part 4 Figures 11 - 22 (4.5 MB)
Part 5 Figures 23 - 34 (4.9 MB)
  • Technical Paper 52, Two-to-Ten-Day Precipitation for Return Periods of 2 to 100 Years in Alaska (1965)
Viewing these documents requires the DjVu plugin. Click icon to download.