Extreme Rainfall Events in the Hawaiian Islands

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 502-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pao-Shin Chu ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Ying Ruan ◽  
Melodie Grubbs

Abstract Heavy rainfall and the associated floods occur frequently in the Hawaiian Islands and have caused huge economic losses as well as social problems. Extreme rainfall events in this study are defined by three different methods based on 1) the mean annual number of days on which 24-h accumulation exceeds a given daily rainfall amount, 2) the value associated with a specific daily rainfall percentile, and 3) the annual maximum daily rainfall values associated with a specific return period. For estimating the statistics of return periods, the three-parameter generalized extreme value distribution is fit using the method of L-moments. Spatial patterns of heavy and very heavy rainfall events across the islands are mapped separately based on the aforementioned three methods. Among all islands, the pattern on the island of Hawaii is most distinguishable, with a high frequency of events along the eastern slopes of Mauna Kea and a low frequency of events on the western portion so that a sharp gradient in extreme events from east to west is prominent. On other islands, extreme rainfall events tend to occur locally, mainly on the windward slopes. A case is presented for estimating return periods given different rainfall intensity for a station in Upper Manoa, Oahu. For the Halloween flood in 2004, the estimated return period is approximately 27 yr, and its true value should be no less than 13 yr with 95% confidence as determined from the adjusted bootstrap resampling technique.

MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-138
Author(s):  
S. PASUPALAK ◽  
G. PANIGRAHI ◽  
T. PANIGRAHI ◽  
S. MOHANTY ◽  
K. K. SINGH

Extreme rainfall events are a significant cause of loss of life and livelihoods in Odisha. Objectives of the present study are to determine the trend of the extreme rainfall events during 1991-2014 and to compare the events between two periods before and after 1991. Block level daily rainfall data were used in identifying the extreme rainfall events, while district level aggregation was used in analysing the trend   in three categories, viz., heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall as per criteria given by India Meteorological Department (IMD). The state as a whole received one extremely heavy, nine very heavy, and forty heavy rainfall events in a year. When percentage of occurrence of each category out of the total extreme events over different districts was considered, maximum % of extremely heavy rainfall occurred in Kalahandi (5.8%), very heavy rainfall in Bolangir (23.8%) and heavy rainfall in Keonjhargarh (85.4%). Trend analysis showed that number of extreme rainfall events increased in a few districts, namely, Bolangir, Nuapada, Keonjhargarh, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nawarangapur and did not change in other districts. In Puri district, extremely heavy rainfall frequency decreased. New all-time record high one-day rainfall events were observed in twenty districts during 1992 to 2014, surpassing the earlier records, which could be attributed to  climate change induced by  global warming. Interior south Odisha was found as the hot spot for extreme rainfalls.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
M Welly

Many people in Indonesia calculate design rainfall before calculating the design flooddischarge. The design rainfall with a certain return period will eventually be convertedinto a design flood discharge by combining it with the characteristics of the watershed.However, the lack of a network of rainfall recording stations makes many areas that arenot hydrologically measured (ungauged basin), so it is quite difficult to know thecharacteristics of rain in the area concerned. This study aims to analyze thecharacteristics of design rainfall in Lampung Province. The focus of the analysis is toinvestigate whether geographical factors influence the design rainfall that occurs in theparticular area. The data used in this study is daily rainfall data from 15 rainfallrecording stations spread in Lampung Province. The method of frequency analysis usedin this study is the Gumbel method. The research shows that the geographical location ofan area does not have significant effect on extreme rainfall events. The effect of risingearth temperatures due to natural exploitation by humans tends to be stronger as a causeof extreme events such as extreme rainfall.Keywords: Influence, geographical, factors, extreme, rainfall.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinfeng Wu ◽  
João Pedro Nunes ◽  
Jantiene E. M. Baartman

<p>Wildfires have become a major concern to society in recent decades because increases in the number and severity of wildfires have negative effects on soil and water resources, especially in headwater areas. Models are typically applied to estimate the potential adverse effects of fire. However, few modeling studies have been conducted for meso-scale catchments, and only a fraction of these studies include transport and deposition of eroded material within the catchment or represent spatial erosion patterns. In this study, we firstly designed the procedure of event-based automatic calibration using PEST, parameters ensemble, and jack-knife cross-validation that is suitable for event-based OpenLISEM calibration and validation, especially in data-scarce burned areas. The calibrated and validated OpenLISEM proved capable of providing reasonable accurate predictions of hydrological responses and sediment yields in this burned catchment. Then the model was applied with design storms of six different return periods (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 years) to simulate and evaluate pre- and post-wildfire hydrological and erosion responses at the catchment scale. Our results show rainfall amount and intensity play a more important role than fire occurrence in the catchment water discharge and sediment yields, while fire occurrence is regarded as an important factor for peak water discharge, indicating that high post-fire hydro-sedimentary responses are frequently related to extreme rainfall events. The results also suggest a partial shift from flow to splash erosion after fire, especially for higher return periods, explained by a combination of higher splash erosion in burnt upstream areas with a limited sediment transport capacity of surface runoff, preventing flow erosion in downstream areas. In consequence, the pre-fire erosion risk in the croplands of this catchment is partly shifted to a post-fire erosion risk in upper slope forest and natural areas, especially for storms with lower return periods, although erosion risks in croplands are important both before and after fires. This is relevant, as a shift of sediment sources to burnt areas might lead to downstream contamination even if sediment yields remain small. These findings have significant implications to identify areas for post-wildfire stabilization and rehabilitation, which is particularly important given the predicted increase in the occurrence of fires and extreme rainfall events with climate change.</p>


Author(s):  
E. Schiavo Bernardi ◽  
D. Allasia ◽  
R. Basso ◽  
P. Freitas Ferreira ◽  
R. Tassi

Abstract. The lack of rainfall data in Brazil, and, in particular, in Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), hinders the understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall, especially in the case of the more complex extreme events. In this context, rainfall's estimation from remote sensors is seen as alternative to the scarcity of rainfall gauges. However, as they are indirect measures, such estimates needs validation. This paper aims to verify the applicability of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite information for extreme rainfall determination in RS. The analysis was accomplished at different temporal scales that ranged from 5 min to daily rainfall while spatial distribution of rainfall was investigated by means of regionalization. An initial test verified TRMM rainfall estimative against measured rainfall at gauges for 1998–2013 period considering different durations and return periods (RP). Results indicated that, for the RP of 2, 5, 10 and 15 years, TRMM overestimated on average 24.7% daily rainfall. As TRMM minimum time-steps is 3 h, in order to verify shorter duration rainfall, the TRMM data were adapted to fit Bell's (1969) generalized IDF formula (based on the existence of similarity between the mechanisms of extreme rainfall events as they are associated to convective cells). Bell`s equation error against measured precipitation was around 5–10%, which varied based on location, RP and duration while the coupled BELL+TRMM error was around 10–35%. However, errors were regionally distributed, allowing a correction to be implemented that reduced by half these values. These findings in turn permitted the use of TRMM+Bell estimates to improve the understanding of spatiotemporal distribution of extreme hydrological rainfall events.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses.A Ojara ◽  
Yunsheng Lou ◽  
Hasssen Babaousmail ◽  
Peter Wasswa

Abstract East African countries (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi) are prone to weather extreme events. In this regard; the past occurrence of extreme rainfall events is analyzed for 25 stations following the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) regression method. Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) is used to show the future development of extreme events. Pearson’s correlation analysis is performed to show the relationship of extreme events between different rainfall zones and their association with El Niño -Southern Oscillation (ENSO and Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) IOD-DMI indices. Results revealed that the consecutive wet day's index (CWD) was decreasing trend in 72% of the stations analyzed, moreover consecutive dry days (CDD) index also indicated a positive trend in 44% of the stations analyzed. Heavy rainfall days index (R10mm) showed a positive trend at 52% of the stations and was statistically significant at a few stations. In light of the extremely heavy rainfall days (R25mm) index, 56% of the stations revealed a decreasing trend for the index and statistically significant trend at some stations. Further, a low correlation coefficient of extreme rainfall events in the regions; and between rainfall extreme indices with the atmospheric teleconnection indices (Dipole Mode Index-DMI and Nino 3.4) (r = -0.1 to r = 0.35). Most rainfall zones showed a positive correlation between the R95p index and DMI, while 5/8 of the rainfall zones experienced a negative correlation between Nino 3.4 index and the R95p. In light of the highly variable trends of extremes events, we recommend planning adaptation and mitigation measures that consider the occurrence of such high variability. Measures such as rainwater harvesting, stored and used during needs, planned settlement, and improved drainage systems management supported by accurate climate and weather forecasts is highly advised.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Sauter ◽  
Christopher White ◽  
Hayley Fowler ◽  
Seth Westra

<p>Heatwaves and extreme rainfall events are natural hazards that can have severe impacts on society. The relationship between temperature and extreme rainfall has received scientific attention with studies focussing on how single daily or sub-daily rainfall extremes are related to day-to-day temperature variability. However, the impact multi-day heatwaves have on sub-daily extreme rainfall events and how extreme rainfall properties change during different stages of a heatwave remains mostly unexplored.</p><p>In this study, we analyse sub-daily rainfall records across Australia, a country that experiences severe natural hazards on a frequent basis, and determine their extreme rainfall properties, such as rainfall intensity, duration and frequency during SH-summer heatwaves. These properties are then compared to extreme rainfall properties found outside heatwaves, but during the same time of year, to examine to what extent they differ from normal conditions. We also conduct a spatial analysis to investigate any spatial patterns that arise.</p><p>We find that rainfall breaking heatwaves is often more extreme than average rainfall during the same time of year. This is especially prominent on the eastern and south-eastern Australian coast, where frequency and intensity of sub-daily rainfall extremes show an increase during the last day or the day immediately after a heatwave. We also find that although during heatwaves the average rainfall amount and duration decreases, there is an increase in sub-daily rainfall intensity when compared to conditions outside heatwaves. This implies that even though Australian heatwaves are generally characterised by dry conditions, rainfall occurrences within heatwaves are more intense.</p><p>Both heatwaves and extreme rainfall events pose great challenges for many sectors such as agriculture, and especially if they occur together. Understanding how and to what degree these events co-occur could help mitigate the impacts caused by them.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-188
Author(s):  
R Rajkumar ◽  
CS Shaijumon ◽  
B Gopakumar ◽  
D Gopalakrishnan

In the present study, we examined the exposure of the Tamil Nadu region, India, to droughts and extreme rainfall events using the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and a classification scheme based on daily rainfall. We used high-resolution temperature and rainfall observations from the India Meteorological Department for the period 1951-2016. The robustness of the results was tested using the Mann-Kendall trend (M-K) test and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test. During the study period, there were statistically significant increasing trends in drought area (90% significance level), maximum drought intensity (99% significance level) and maximum drought severity (99% significance level) over the Tamil Nadu region. There has also been an increase in the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events in recent years. The spatio-temporal dimensions of this study suggest an increasing exposure of this semi-arid, rain shadow region to severe droughts and extreme rainfall events in recent decades. The results provide sufficient grounds to substantiate the necessity of immediate interventions at the policy level.


2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 886-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Bo Liu ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Da-Lin Zhang ◽  
Bin Wang

Abstract During the mei-yu season of the summer of 2003, the Yangtze and Huai River basin (YHRB) encountered anomalously heavy rainfall, and the northern YHRB (nYHRB) suffered a severe flood because of five continuous extreme rainfall events. A spectral analysis of daily rainfall data over YHRB reveals two dominant frequency modes: one peak on day 14 and the other on day 4 (i.e., the quasi-biweekly and synoptic-scale mode, respectively). Results indicate that the two scales of disturbances contributed southwesterly and northeasterly anomalies, respectively, to the mei-yu frontal convergence over the southern YHRB (sYHRB) at the peak wet phase. An analysis of bandpass-filtered circulations shows that the lower and upper regions of the troposphere were fully coupled at the quasi-biweekly scale, and a lower-level cyclonic anomaly over sYHRB was phase locked with an anticyclonic anomaly over the Philippines. At the synoptic scale, the strong northeasterly components of an anticyclonic anomaly with a deep cold and dry layer helped generate the heavy rainfall over sYHRB. Results also indicate the passages of five synoptic-scale disturbances during the nYHRB rainfall. Like the sYHRB rainfall, these disturbances originated from the periodical generations of cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies at the downstream of the Tibetan Plateau. The nYHRB rainfalls were generated as these disturbances moved northeastward under the influence of monsoonal flows and higher-latitude eastward-propagating Rossby wave trains. It is concluded that the sYHRB heavy rainfall resulted from the superposition of quasi-biweekly and synoptic-scale disturbances, whereas the intermittent passages of five synoptic-scale disturbances led to the flooding rainfall over nYHRB.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 1095-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ila Chawla ◽  
Krishna K. Osuri ◽  
Pradeep P. Mujumdar ◽  
Dev Niyogi

Abstract. Reliable estimates of extreme rainfall events are necessary for an accurate prediction of floods. Most of the global rainfall products are available at a coarse resolution, rendering them less desirable for extreme rainfall analysis. Therefore, regional mesoscale models such as the advanced research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are often used to provide rainfall estimates at fine grid spacing. Modelling heavy rainfall events is an enduring challenge, as such events depend on multi-scale interactions, and the model configurations such as grid spacing, physical parameterization and initialization. With this background, the WRF model is implemented in this study to investigate the impact of different processes on extreme rainfall simulation, by considering a representative event that occurred during 15–18 June 2013 over the Ganga Basin in India, which is located at the foothills of the Himalayas. This event is simulated with ensembles involving four different microphysics (MP), two cumulus (CU) parameterizations, two planetary boundary layers (PBLs) and two land surface physics options, as well as different resolutions (grid spacing) within the WRF model. The simulated rainfall is evaluated against the observations from 18 rain gauges and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Multi-Satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B42RT version 7 data. From the analysis, it should be noted that the choice of MP scheme influences the spatial pattern of rainfall, while the choice of PBL and CU parameterizations influences the magnitude of rainfall in the model simulations. Further, the WRF run with Goddard MP, Mellor–Yamada–Janjic PBL and Betts–Miller–Janjic CU scheme is found to perform best in simulating this heavy rain event. The selected configuration is evaluated for several heavy to extremely heavy rainfall events that occurred across different months of the monsoon season in the region. The model performance improved through incorporation of detailed land surface processes involving prognostic soil moisture evolution in Noah scheme compared to the simple Slab model. To analyse the effect of model grid spacing, two sets of downscaling ratios – (i) 1 : 3, global to regional (G2R) scale and (ii) 1 : 9, global to convection-permitting scale (G2C) – are employed. Results indicate that a higher downscaling ratio (G2C) causes higher variability and consequently large errors in the simulations. Therefore, G2R is adopted as a suitable choice for simulating heavy rainfall event in the present case study. Further, the WRF-simulated rainfall is found to exhibit less bias when compared with the NCEP FiNaL (FNL) reanalysis data.


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