Sub-daily rainfall intensity maps for several return periods in Catalunya based on scaling

What is it about?

This study maps sub-daily rainfall intensities across Catalunya for return periods ranging from 2 to 500 years. Using a scaling approach applied to daily (24-hour) rainfall amounts, we derive intensities for a range of sub-daily durations, extending down to 1 hour. The resulting spatial maps visualize regional precipitation patterns and gradients, informing infrastructure planning and enhancing our understanding of regional hydrological responses to weather patterns.

Featured Image

Photo by S. Tsuchiya on Unsplash

Photo by S. Tsuchiya on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The relationship between rainfall intensity, its duration, and its frequency at a given location is of paramount importance, not only in the field of meteorology but also in hydrology and civil engineering. These variables’ relationship serve commonly as a critical tool for understanding and modeling precipitation patterns, and are widely used in the design and management of water-related infrastructure such as drainage systems, dams, and stormwater facilities. Accurate estimation of these relationships is essential for creating infrastructure resilient to extreme rainfall events, thereby reducing the risk of flooding and structural failures. The importance of this knowledge extends to urban planning, as they ensure the capacity of stormwater systems aligns with the demands of expected rainfall scenarios. The maps of sub-daily rainfall intensities across Catalunya, for return periods ranging from 2 to 500 years, directly contribute to building this resilience by providing the detailed rainfall information needed for robust infrastructure design.

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