Leffler's Method of Estimating Average Temperatures of Appalachian Summits: Evaluation in New York

Abstract

R. J. Leffler recently presented regression equations to estimate average monthly temperatures of Appalachian summits based on the long-term average temperatures on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, and temperature lapse rates as a function of latitude and elevation. The data used to derive his equations came from eight summits in northern New England and from Virginia southward. Long-term average monthly temperatures are derived here from 8-14 years of data for four summit locations in New York to evaluate Leffler's equations where they have not previously been tested. The average monthly temperatures estimated by Leffler's equations for the four New York summits are generally within 0.6°C of the long-term averages and Leffler's equations may therefore be applied with reasonable accuracy in New York.