A Hierarchical and Divisive Cluster Analysis of Rainfall Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Iran

Variability of both the temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall in Iran makes -the identification of rainfall patterns an essential task for hydrologists, climatologists and regional and local planners and managers. The aim of this study is to classify these temporal and spatial rainfall patterns through hierarchical and divisive cluster analysis. The results showed that there are eight main spatial groups of annual rainfall over Iran. These groups are then classified into 3 main seasonal rainfall regimes namely winter, winter-spring and fall regime. The results also showed the influence of height and sea neighborhood on rainfall pattern of Iran.-we also show that them arh methoh ofhierarchich h'uster pefi~mks t spa51A -pattt-m very well.

Keywords:

Rainfall Pattern , Cluster Analysis , Ward Method , Iran