Meteorological Monitoring Networks

A correct drought monitoring system requires facing the problem of rain gauge networks design. Results of our bibliographic research present five design methodologies, which have been studied with a view to select some of them for further analyses. These five methodologies are based on the theory of random fields. The spatial structure of precipitation fields is represented through the covariance fields. The key variable is the Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP), whose accuracy in the calculation is the only design criterion. The methodology of Lebel et al. (1987) has been chosen among the others because it is based on a well-known and widely tested method, that is to say the kriging, and it has been developed thanks to applications in nearby areas of the Mediterranean.