Abstract
The basic stochastic characteristics (moments) of annual precipitations in different parts of the world are investigated. Four moments, namely, mean (μ), standard deviation (σ), skewness (β), and kurtosis (γ) for the world's 10 districts and entire world itself have been computed. Their characteristics and mutual relations have been analyzed elaborately. The results of the analyses indicate the followings ; σ can be usually expressed by a gentle 2nd order function of μ, though in some districts the relationships are found to be linear. The shape of the frequency distribution of β has a mode ranging between 0.25 and 0.50, and has a right-hand tail. The shape of the frequency distribution of γ has a mode varying from 0 to 0.50, and has a right-hand tail. The shape of the stochastic distributions of annual precipitation has a right-hand tail and is expressed mainly by a Log-normal type equation. It is concluded that the stochastic distributions of annual precipitations of most countries of the world have longer right-hand tails and sharper peaks than those of normal distributions.
