Daily snowfall in Omaha in January Mode, median or mean
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Mean
Explanation
To describe daily snowfall in Omaha during January, the mean provides the most informative and balanced measure of central tendency. The mean is calculated by adding all snowfall amounts over the days of the month and dividing by the number of days. This method gives a representative average that includes all recorded values, offering a comprehensive understanding of typical daily snowfall.
Snowfall can vary widely from day to day, with some days experiencing no snow and others seeing significant accumulation. Because of this variability, relying on the mode or median may not give a full picture. The mode, which identifies the most frequently occurring snowfall amount, could be zero if many days have no snow. This value might be misleading, especially in regions with a few intense snowstorms spread among many dry days. Similarly, the median, the middle value when all snowfall amounts are arranged in order, might also fall at or near zero, depending on how frequently snow falls.
Unlike mode or median, the mean smooths out these inconsistencies and gives an overall expectation of how much snow typically falls on a daily basis, even accounting for extreme values. Meteorologists and climatologists often use the mean for weather-related data because it incorporates the full data set and allows for comparison across time periods or regions.
In Omaha, January often includes a mix of snowy and snow-free days. Using the mean helps represent the month’s snowfall pattern more accurately. It reflects the total snowfall distributed over the month and supports effective forecasting, planning for snow removal, or comparing snowfall levels from one year to another.
Thus, for data involving daily snowfall where the goal is to describe an overall pattern or average condition, the mean is the most appropriate statistical measure.
