Spatial climate products (digital maps) including mean monthly and annual precipitation coverages, have been developed through a partnership between the NRCS' National Water and Climate Center, the National Cartography and Geospatial Center, and the PRISM Group at Oregon State University.

The PRISM Group is responsible for nearly all major climate mapping efforts at the federal level in the United States. In addition, PRISM products are used in international climate modeling and analysis. PRISM is a knowledge-based system that uses point measurements of precipitation, temperature, and other climate elements to produce continuous, digital coverages. PRISM is unique in that it incorporates expert knowledge of rain shadows, temperature inversions, coastal effects, and more. PRISM coverages are used with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to construct maps and perform many types of analysis.

The Oregon State University PRISM Group web site at www.prismclimate.org provides access to: the highest-quality spatial climate data sets available; up-to-date and historical monthly climate data sets and graphics for the US; an Internet Map Server; journal articles and presentations; and hardcopy maps for purchase.

PRISM Products Matrix