Regionalization of the precipitation regime in the region of Bois-Franc and Estrie by principal component analysis

A definition of homogeneous regions in terms of precipitation regime is ach ieved by the use of principal component analysis (PCA). The method has been shown to be a reliable regionalization tool even though it was applied to a territory showing rather complex physiography and high precipitation vari ation. Results based on the application of the PCA to the interstation corr elation matrix of precipitation have indicated four distinct homogeneous re gions. These regional patterns can be explained by the orographic effect an d by the circulation of air masses within the study region.