Wgen: A Model for Generating Daily Weather Variables

Richardson, C. W., and D. A. Wright. 1984. WGEN: A Model for Generating Daily Weather Variables. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, ARS-8, 83 p. A computer simulation model called WGEN (Weather Generator) that provides daily values for precipitation, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and solar radiation is described. The model accounts for the persistence of each variable, the dependence among the variables, and the seasonal characteristics of each variable. Its parameters are defined for locations in the United States, enabling use of the model in the 48 contiguous States without reference to actual data. Examples of model applications are given, and weather data generated by the model are compared with actual data.