However, the pattern of results was largely replicated in robustness checks using observed data, and the classes were associated with relevant socioeconomic factors in a meaningful way, increasing our confidence that the LCA has
captured meaningful patterns in the income data.
However, since climate models are better able to
capture broad
patterns of middle atmospheric pressure (which are strongly linked to precipitation) than precipitation itself, it's likely that we can still say something
meaningful about trends in large - scale atmospheric
patterns conducive to low precipitation (and, therefore, drought).