Skip to main content
Log in

Flood forecast in complex orography coupling distributed hydro-meteorological models and in-situ and remote sensing data

  • Published:
Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A flood forecast chain, developed at the Centre of Excellence for Remote Sensing and Hydro-Meteorology (CETEMPS) and based on coupled mesoscale atmospheric and a newly developed distributed hydrological model with in-situ and remote sensing data integration, is illustrated. The focus is on small-catchment flood forecast in complex topography in Central Italy, but the developed modelling and processing integrated tools may be easily applied to any geographical and orographic scenario. Emphasis is put on the integration of numerical models and retrieval algorithms with aim to provide an overview of an objective system for hydro-meteorological alert-map emission. As an example, the forecast hydro-meteorological chain is applied to a case study of an extreme event on 23–25 January 2003 and results are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Band LE (1986) Analysis and representation of drainage basin structure with digital elevation data. In: Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. on Spatial Data Handling, Int. Geogr. Union, Williamsville, New York, USA, pp. 437–50

  • T Bellerby M Todd D Kniveton C Kidd (2000) ArticleTitleRainfall estimation from a combination of TRMM precipitation radar and GOES multispectral satellite imagery through the use of an artificial neural network J Appl Meteor 39 2115–2128 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2001)040<2115:REFACO>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Bennartz GW Petty (2001) ArticleTitleThe sensitivity of microwave remote sensing observations of precipitation to ice particle size distributions J Appl Met 40 345–364 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2001)040<0345:TSOMRS>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L Bianco D Cimini FS Marzano R Ware (2005) ArticleTitleCombining microwave radiometer and wind profiler radar measurements for high-resolution atmospheric humidty profiling J Atmos Oceanic Tech 2 IssueID7 949–965 Occurrence Handle10.1175/JTECH1771.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borah DK, Xia R, Bera M (2002) DWSM – A Dynamic Watershed Simulation Model. Mathematical Model for Small Watershed Hydrology, WRP Edition

  • VN Bringi V Chandrasekar (2001) Polarimetric Doppler weather radar: principles and applications Cambridge University Press Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • P Bougeault P Binder A Buzzi R Dirks R Houze J Kuettner RB Smith R Steinacker H Volkert (2001) ArticleTitleThe MAP special observing period Bull Amer Meteor Soc 82 433–462 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0477(2001)082<0433:TMSOP>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Buzzi S Tibaldi (1977) ArticleTitleInertial and frictional effects on rotating and stratified flow over topography Quart J Roy Meteor Soc 103 135–150 Occurrence Handle10.1002/qj.49710343508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Buzzi N Tartaglione P Malguzzi (1998) ArticleTitleNumerical simulations of the 1994 Piedmont flood: role of orography and moist processes Mon Wea Rev 126 2369–2383 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0493(1998)126<2369:NSOTPF>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BA Colle MF Garvert JB Wolfe CF Mass CP Woods (2005) ArticleTitleThe 13–14 December 2001 IMPROVE-2 event. Part III: simulated microphysical budgets and sensitivity studies J Atmos Sci 62 3535–3558 Occurrence Handle10.1175/JAS3552.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E Coppola DIF Grimes M Verdecchia G Visconti (2006) ArticleTitleValidation of improved TAMANN neural network for operational satellite-derived rainfall estimation in Africa J Appl Met 45 IssueID11 1557–1572 Occurrence Handle10.1175/JAM2426.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E Coppola B Tomassetti L Mariotti M Verdecchia G Visconti (2007) ArticleTitleCellular automata algorithms for drainage network extraction and rainfall data assimilation Hydrol Sci J 52 IssueID3 579–592 Occurrence Handle10.1623/hysj.52.3.579

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J Dudhia (1993) ArticleTitleA non hydrostatic version of the Penn State-NCAR mesoscale model: validation tests and simulation of an Atlantic cyclone and cold front Mon Wea Rev 121 1493–1513 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0493(1993)121<1493:ANVOTP>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EE Ebert JE Janowiak C Kidd (2007) ArticleTitleComparison of near-real-time precipitation estimates from satellite observations and numerical models Bull Am Met Soc 88 47–64 Occurrence Handle10.1175/BAMS-88-1-47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LJ Elman (1990) ArticleTitleFinding structure in time Cogn Sci 14 179–211 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0364-0213(90)90002-E

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C Faccani D Cimini R Ferretti FS Marzano AC Taramasso (2005) ArticleTitle3DVAR assimilation of SSM/I data over the sea for the IOP2 MAP case Adv Geosci 2 229–235

    Google Scholar 

  • RR Ferraro (1997) ArticleTitleSSM/I derived global rainfall estimates for climatological applications J Geophys Res 102 16,715–16,735 Occurrence Handle10.1029/97JD01210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Ferretti C Faccani (2005) ArticleTitleData assimilation of high density observations: Part II. Impact on the forecast of the precipitation for the MAP/SOP IOP2b Q J R Meteorol Soc 131A 43–62 Occurrence Handle10.1256/qj.03.56B

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Ferretti T Paolucci G Giuliani T Cherubini L Bernardini G Visconti (2003) ArticleTitleEvaluation of high resolution real-time forecast over the alpine region during MAP/SOP Q J R Meteorol Soc 129B 567

    Google Scholar 

  • R Ferretti T Paolucci L Bernardini G Visconti (2003b) ArticleTitleThe role of the high resolution weather forecast in estimating the runoff using a simple hydrological model Ann Geophys 46 321–329

    Google Scholar 

  • R Ferretti C Faccani D Cimini FS Marzano A Memmo L Cucurull R Pacione (2005) ArticleTitleSimulations of deep convection in the Mediterranean area using 3DVAR of conventional and non-conventional data Adv Geosci 2 65–71

    Google Scholar 

  • A Fornasiero PP Alberoni G Vulpiani FS Marzano (2005) ArticleTitleReconstruction of reflectivity vertical profiles and data quality control for C-band radar rainfall estimation Adv Geosci 2 209–215

    Google Scholar 

  • J Garbrecht LW Martz (1997) ArticleTitleThe assigment of drainage direction over flat surfaces in raster digital elevation model J Hydrol N 193 204–213 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-1694(96)03138-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MF Garvert CP Woods BA Colle CF Mass PV Hobbs MT Stoelinga JB Wolfe (2005) ArticleTitleThe 13–14 December 2001 IMPROVE-2 event. Part II: comparison of MM5 model simulations of clouds and precipitation with observations J Atmos Sci 62 3520–3534 Occurrence Handle10.1175/JAS3551.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grell GA, Dudhia J, Stauffer DR (1994) A Description of the Fifth-Generation Penn State/NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5). NCAR Tech. Note NCAR/Tn-398+STR

  • DIF Grimes E Coppola M Verdecchia G Visconti (2003) ArticleTitleA neural network approach to real time rainfall estimation for Africa using satellite data J Hydrometeor 6 IssueID4 1119–1133 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1525-7541(2003)004<1119:ANNATR>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hecht-Nielsen R (1991) Neurocomputing. Addison Wesley

  • J Hollinger J Peirce G Poe (1990) ArticleTitleSSM/I instrument evaluation IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 28 IssueID5 781–790 Occurrence Handle10.1109/36.58964

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KL Hsu X Gao S Sorooshian HV Gupta (1997) ArticleTitlePrecipitation estimation from remotely sensed information using artificial neural networks J Appl Meteor 36 1176–1190 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(1997)036<1176:PEFRSI>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JS Kain JM Fritsch (1990) ArticleTitleA one-dimensional entraining/detraining plume model and its application in convective parameterization J Atmos Sci 47 2784–2802 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0469(1990)047<2784:AODEPM>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C Kummerow L Giglio (1995) ArticleTitleA method for combining passive microwave and infrared rainfall observations J Atmos Oceanic Tecnol 12 33–45 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0426(1995)012<0033:AMFCPM>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • V Levizzani F Porcù FS Marzano A Mugnai EA Smith F Prodi (1996) ArticleTitleInvestigating a SSM/I microwave algorithm to calibrate METEOSAT infrared instantaneous rain-rate estimates Meteorol Appl 3 5–17 Occurrence Handle10.1002/met.5060030102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lighthill MJ, Whitham CB (1995) On kinematic waves, 1, flood movement in long rivers. P Roy Soc Lond Ser A (229): 281–316

  • J Marshall W Palmer (1948) ArticleTitleThe distribution of raindrops with size J Meteorol 5 165–166

    Google Scholar 

  • LW Martz J Garbrecht (1992) ArticleTitleNumerical definition of drainage network and subcatchment areas from digital elevation models Comput Geosci 18 IssueID6 747–761 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0098-3004(92)90007-E

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LW Martz J Garbrecht (1993) ArticleTitleAutomated extraction of drainage network and watershed data from digital elevation models Water Resour Bull 29 IssueID6 901–908

    Google Scholar 

  • FS Marzano J Turk P Ciotti S Di Michele N Pierdicca (2001) ArticleTitlePotential of combined spaceborne microwave and infrared radiometry for near real-time rainfall attenuation monitoring along earth satellite Int J Satell Commun 19 IssueID4 385–412 Occurrence Handle10.1002/sat.676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FS Marzano A Mugnai J Turk (2002) Precipitation retrieval from spaceborne microwave radiometers and combined sensors FS Marzano G Visconti (Eds) Remote sensing of atmosphere and ocean from space Kluwer Academic Publ. Dordrecht 107–126

    Google Scholar 

  • FS Marzano E Fionda P Ciotti A Martellucci (2002b) ArticleTitleGround-based multi-frequency microwave radiometry for rainfall remote sensing IEEE Trans Geosci Rem Sens 40 742–759 Occurrence Handle10.1109/TGRS.2002.1006317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FS Marzano M Palmacci D Cimini G Giuliani JF Turk (2004a) ArticleTitleMultivariate statistical integration of satellite infrared and microwave radiometric measurements for rainfall retrieval at the geostationary scale IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 42 IssueID4 1018–1032 Occurrence Handle10.1109/TGRS.2003.820312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FS Marzano E Picciotti G Vulpiani (2004b) ArticleTitleRain field and reflectivity vertical profile reconstruction from C-band radar volumetric data IEEE Trans Geosci Rem Sens 42 IssueID4 1033–1046

    Google Scholar 

  • FS Marzano D Cimini E Coppola M Verdecchia V Levizzani F Tapiador JF Turk (2005) ArticleTitleSatellite radiometric remote sensing of rainfall fields: mult-isensor retrieval techniques at geostationary scale Adv Geosci 2 267–272

    Google Scholar 

  • A Memmo C Faccani R Ferretti S Di Michele Marzano Frank (2006) ArticleTitleEvaluation of radiative transfer schemes for mesoscale model data assimilation: a case study Adv Geosci 7 193–198

    Google Scholar 

  • SW Miller PA Arkin R Joyce (2001) ArticleTitleA combined microwave infrared rain rate algorithm Int J Remote Sens 22 3285–3307 Occurrence Handle10.1080/01431160152609155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Montopoli FS Marzano G Vulpiani A Fornasiero PP Alberoni L Ferraris N Rebora (2006) ArticleTitleSpatial characterization of raincell horizontal profiles from C- band radar measurements at mid-latitude Adv Geosci 7 285–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Overtone DE (1964) Mathematical refinement of an infiltration equation for watershed engineering. ARS41-99, Dept. Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, U.S.D.A.

  • NH Packard S Wolfram (1985) J Stat Phys 38 901–946 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01010423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • N Pierdicca L Pulvirenti FS Marzano G d’Auria P Basili P Ciotti (2004) ArticleTitleIntercomparison of inversion algorithms to retrieve rain-rate from SSM/I by using an extended validation set over the Mediterranean area IEEE Trans Geosci Rem Sens 42 IssueID10 2226–2239 Occurrence Handle10.1109/TGRS.2004.834651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J Reisner R Rasmussen R Bruintjes (1998) ArticleTitleExplicit forecasting of supercooled liquid water in winter storms using the MM5 mesoscale model Q J R Meteorol Soc 124 1071–1107 Occurrence Handle10.1002/qj.49712454804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G Rivolta FS Marzano E Coppola M Verdecchia (2006) ArticleTitleArtificial neural-network technique for precipitation nowcasting from satellite imagery Adv Geosci 7 97–103 Occurrence Handle10.5194/adgeo-7-97-2006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G Roth G Boni F Giannoni R Rudari (2004) ArticleTitleOn the role of a hydrologic model in regional precipitation and flood frequency analyses EOS Trans AGU 85 IssueID17 JA259

    Google Scholar 

  • R Rotunno R Ferretti (2001) ArticleTitleMechanism of intense Alpine rainfall J Atmos Sci 58 1732–1749 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0469(2001)058<1732:MOIAR>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serafin S, Ferretti R (2007) Sensitivity of a mesoscale model to microphysical parameterizations in the MAP-SOP IOP2b and IOP8. J Applied Met Clim (in press)

  • F Siccardi G Boni L Ferraris R Rudari (2005) ArticleTitleA hydrometeorological approach for probabilistic flood forecast J Geophys Res 110 D05101 Occurrence Handle10.1029/2004JD005314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • VP Singh FX Yu (1990) ArticleTitleDerivation of infiltration equation using systems Approach J Irrigation Drainage Eng 116 IssueID6 837–858 Occurrence Handle10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9437(1990)116:6(837)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • VP Singh DK Frevert (2002) Mathematical models of small watershed hydrology and application Water Resource Publications LLC, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • FJ Tapiador C Kidd V Levizzani FS Marzano (2004a) ArticleTitleA neural networks-based PMW-IR fusion technique to derive half hourly rainfall estimates at 0.1° resolution J Appl Meteor 43 576–594 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2004)043<0576:ANNFTT>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FJ Tapiador C Kidd KL Hsu FS Marzano (2004b) ArticleTitleNeural networks in satellite rainfall estimation Meteorol Appl 11 1–9 Occurrence Handle10.1017/S1350482704001173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornthwaite CW, Mather JR (1957) Instructions and tables for computing potential evapotranspiration and the water balance. Publications in Climatology, Vol. 10. Laboratory of Climatology, Drexel Institute of Technology, 311 pp

  • E Todini (1996) ArticleTitleThe Arno rainfall-runoff model J Hydrol N 175 339–382 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-1694(96)80016-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todini E, Ciarrapica L (2002) The TOPKAPI model, mathematical model for large watershed hydrology. WRP Edition

  • B Tomassetti E Coppola M Verdecchia G Visconti (2005) ArticleTitleCoupling a distributed grid based hydrological model and MM5 meteorological model for flooding alert mapping Adv Geosci 2 59–63

    Google Scholar 

  • I Troen L Mahrt (1986) ArticleTitleA simple model of the atmospheric boundary layer: sensitivity to surface evaporation Bound Lay Meteor 37 129–148 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00122760

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Turcotte JP Fortin AN Rousseau W Massicotte JP Villeneuve (2001) ArticleTitleDetermination of the drainage structure of a watershed using a digital elevation model and a digital river and lake network J Hydrol 240 225–242 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-1694(00)00342-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JF Turk G Rohaly J Hawkins EA Smith FS Marzano A Mugnai V Levizzani (2000) Meteorological applications of precipitation estimation from combined SSM/I, TRMM, and geostationary satellite data P Pampaloni (Eds) Microwave radiometry and remote sensing of the environment VSP Int. Sci. Publisher Utrecht 353–363

    Google Scholar 

  • GA Vicente RA Scofield WP Menzel (1998) ArticleTitleThe operational GOES infrared rainfall estimation technique Bull Amer Meteor Soc 79 1883–1898 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0477(1998)079<1883:TOGIRE>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G Vulpiani FS Marzano V Chandrasekar S Lim (2005) ArticleTitleConstrained iterative technique with embedded neural-network for dual-polarization radar correction of rain path attenuation IEEE Trans Geosci Remote 43 2305–2314 Occurrence Handle10.1109/TGRS.2005.855623

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. S. Marzano.

Additional information

Correspondence: Frank S. Marzano, Centro di Eccellenza CETEMPS, Università dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy; Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettronica, Università “La Sapienza” di Roma, Rome, Italy

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Verdecchia, M., Coppola, E., Faccani, C. et al. Flood forecast in complex orography coupling distributed hydro-meteorological models and in-situ and remote sensing data. Meteorol Atmos Phys 101, 267–285 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-007-0278-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-007-0278-z

Keywords

Navigation