scholarly journals Spatially Variable Precipitation and Its Influence on Water Balance in a Headwater Alpine Basin, Nepal

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Taufique H. Mahmood ◽  
Jaakko Putkonen ◽  
Aaron Sobbe
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Annual Precipitation ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Thiessen Polygon ◽  
Precipitation Estimates ◽  
Variable Precipitation ◽  
Spatially Varying ◽  
Polygon Method

The current knowledge of the spatial variability of precipitation in High Mountain Asia is based on the remotely-sensed estimates (coarse spatial and temporal resolution) or data from sparsely-distributed rain gauges. However, as precipitation is strongly affected by topography in mountainous terrain, the spatially varying precipitation and the resulting water balances are currently poorly understood. To fill this gap in knowledge, we studied the spatial variation of the precipitation and its impact on water balance in a small headwater basin located in the foothills of the Himalaya, Nepal. We deployed ten rain gauges and climate stations, spanning the whole elevation range 700–4500 m above sea level (masl) for a period of four years. Our results show a quadratic polynomial relationship between annual precipitation and station elevation, which are used to produce annual precipitation maps. The performance of the elevation-based precipitation estimates is adequate in closing the water balance while the performances of average precipitation and Thiessen polygon method are poor and inconsistent in closing the water balance. We also demonstrate that precipitation estimates from one or two gauges at the lowest basin elevation substantially underestimate the water balance. However, the precipitation from one or two rain gauges at 2000–3000 masl provide a significantly better estimate of the water balance of a small headwater basin.

scholarly journals Assessment of Snowfall Accumulation from Satellite and Reanalysis Products Using SNOTEL Observations in Alaska

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2922
Author(s):  
Yang Song ◽  
Patrick D. Broxton ◽  
Mohammad Reza Ehsani ◽  
Ali Behrangi
Keyword(s):  
Snow Water Equivalent ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Microwave Remote Sensing ◽  
Rain Gauge ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Rainfall Analysis ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Snow Properties ◽  
Precipitation Estimates

The combination of snowfall, snow water equivalent (SWE), and precipitation rate measurements from 39 snow telemetry (SNOTEL) sites in Alaska were used to assess the performance of various precipitation products from satellites, reanalysis, and rain gauges. Observation of precipitation from two water years (2018–2019) of a high-resolution radar/rain gauge data (Stage IV) product was also utilized to give insights into the scaling differences between various products. The outcomes were used to assess two popular methods for rain gauge undercatch correction. It was found that SWE and precipitation measurements at SNOTELs, as well as precipitation estimates based on Stage IV data, are generally consistent and can provide a range within which other products can be assessed. The time-series of snowfall and SWE accumulation suggests that most of the products can capture snowfall events; however, differences exist in their accumulation. Reanalysis products tended to overestimate snow accumulation in the study area, while the current combined passive microwave remote sensing products (i.e., IMERG-HQ) underestimate snowfall accumulation. We found that correction factors applied to rain gauges are effective for improving their undercatch, especially for snowfall. However, no improvement in correlation is seen when correction factors are applied, and rainfall is still estimated better than snowfall. Even though IMERG-HQ has less skill for capturing snowfall than rainfall, analysis using Taylor plots showed that the combined microwave product does have skill for capturing the geographical distribution of snowfall and precipitation accumulation; therefore, bias adjustment might lead to reasonable precipitation estimates. This study demonstrates that other snow properties (e.g., SWE accumulation at the SNOTEL sites) can complement precipitation data to estimate snowfall. In the future, gridded SWE and snow depth data from GlobSnow and Sentinel-1 can be used to assess snowfall and its distribution over broader regions.

scholarly journals Health and sustainability of glaciers in High Mountain Asia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Miles ◽  
Michael McCarthy ◽  
Amaury Dehecq ◽  
Marin Kneib ◽  
Stefan Fugger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Specific Mass ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Mass Redistribution ◽  
Glacier Ablation

AbstractGlaciers in High Mountain Asia generate meltwater that supports the water needs of 250 million people, but current knowledge of annual accumulation and ablation is limited to sparse field measurements biased in location and glacier size. Here, we present altitudinally-resolved specific mass balances (surface, internal, and basal combined) for 5527 glaciers in High Mountain Asia for 2000–2016, derived by correcting observed glacier thinning patterns for mass redistribution due to ice flow. We find that 41% of glaciers accumulated mass over less than 20% of their area, and only 60% ± 10% of regional annual ablation was compensated by accumulation. Even without 21st century warming, 21% ± 1% of ice volume will be lost by 2100 due to current climatic-geometric imbalance, representing a reduction in glacier ablation into rivers of 28% ± 1%. The ablation of glaciers in the Himalayas and Tien Shan was mostly unsustainable and ice volume in these regions will reduce by at least 30% by 2100. The most important and vulnerable glacier-fed river basins (Amu Darya, Indus, Syr Darya, Tarim Interior) were supplied with >50% sustainable glacier ablation but will see long-term reductions in ice mass and glacier meltwater supply regardless of the Karakoram Anomaly.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of groundwater recharge using climatic analogues and HYDRUS-1D

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 2485-2497 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Leterme ◽  
D. Mallants ◽  
D. Jacques
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Annual Precipitation ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Subtropical Climate ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Hydrus 1D

Abstract. The sensitivity of groundwater recharge to different climate conditions was simulated using the approach of climatic analogue stations, i.e. stations presently experiencing climatic conditions corresponding to a possible future climate state. The study was conducted in the context of a safety assessment of a future near-surface disposal facility for low and intermediate level short-lived radioactive waste in Belgium; this includes estimation of groundwater recharge for the next millennia. Groundwater recharge was simulated using the Richards based soil water balance model HYDRUS-1D and meteorological time series from analogue stations. This study used four analogue stations for a warmer subtropical climate with changes of average annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration from −42% to +5% and from +8% to +82%, respectively, compared to the present-day climate. Resulting water balance calculations yielded a change in groundwater recharge ranging from a decrease of 72% to an increase of 3% for the four different analogue stations. The Gijon analogue station (Northern Spain), considered as the most representative for the near future climate state in the study area, shows an increase of 3% of groundwater recharge for a 5% increase of annual precipitation. Calculations for a colder (tundra) climate showed a change in groundwater recharge ranging from a decrease of 97% to an increase of 32% for four different analogue stations, with an annual precipitation change from −69% to −14% compared to the present-day climate.

scholarly journals Groundwater Balance Study in the High Barind, Bangladesh

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 11-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
AHM Selim Reza ◽  
Quamrul Hasan Mazumder ◽  
Mushfique Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Groundwater Storage ◽  
Balance Study ◽  
Groundwater Balance ◽  
Thiessen Polygon ◽  
Storage Potential ◽  
Polygon Method ◽  
Annual Discharge

The annual groundwater recharge and discharge of aquifer of the Sapahar and Porsha Upazillas is estimated by Thiessen polygon method varies from 106.41 to 244 Mm3 and 93.77 to 291 Mm3 respectively. The calculated groundwater recharge of aquifer of the study area shows that the rate of groundwater recharge of aquifer in Porsha Upazilla is higher than that of Sapahar Upazilla and is characterized by very suitable groundwater storage potential. The overall groundwater balance study in the study area indicates that there exists a balance between annual recharge and withdrawal up to 1993 but after period of 1993 discharge exceeds the recharge continuing till today. But hereforth a cumulative annual deficit is found to exist because of progressive annual discharge in Sapahar Upazilla. 23.99 to 42.08 Mm3 of groundwater is discharged by discharging mechanisms. The rest of groundwater is discharged by natural seepage. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/rujs.v39i0.16539 Rajshahi University J. of Sci. 39, 11-26 (2011)

scholarly journals IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE HYDRAULIC MODES OF OPERATION OF SURFACE RUNOFF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
V. S. Ignatchik ◽  
◽  
S. Y. Ignatchik ◽  
N. V. Kuznetsova ◽  
A. Y. Fes’kova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Linear Approximation ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Annual Precipitation ◽  
Climatic Parameters ◽  
Modes Of Operation ◽  
Total Annual Precipitation ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Drainage Networks ◽  
The Government

Introduction. Based on Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 782 “On water supply and wastewater disposal plans”, the volume of generated wastewater should be forecast for a period of at least 10 years. Along with this, it is also necessary to assess the hydraulic modes of operation of networks and collectors, specified earlier. However, the existing regulatory literature lacks data on the dynamics of calculated rain intensities and their prospective values. The analysis of the subject area showed that it is possible to determine the climatic parameters of an area, and thus establish the values for the characteristics of calculated rain, based on the data of long-term observations (from 20 years) with one self-recording rain gauge, or with a network of similar rain gauges, with a duration of observations of 5 years or more. A similar network of rain gauges is available in St. Petersburg. It makes it possible to assess the actual values of climatic parameters, but due to the lack of statistical data does not allow for assessing the dynamics of their changes. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to roughly estimate the dynamics of changes in climatic parameters in St. Petersburg and the degree of their impact on the hydraulic modes of operation of surface runoff drainage networks and collectors. Methods. In the course of the study, we analyzed the dynamics of changes in the total annual precipitation H and rain force in St. Petersburg and examined the influence of the dynamics of rain force changes on the operation of surface runoff drainage networks and collectors. Results. At the first stage of the study, we obtained the results of linear approximation of the H data, the calculated values of rain force changes Δ, and the results of linear approximation of the Δ data. The second stage of the study resulted in changes in the hydraulic modes of runoff input during the design period and in 50 years. Conclusion. We experimentally substantiated the possibility to determine the dynamics of rain force changes (at P = 0.33 and with acceptable accuracy) depending on the dynamics of changes in the total annual precipitation. For networks designed and laid 50 years ago, the actual rain force changes will be 9 %. As a result of climate change, water consumption in the calculation periods increased by about 26% with an increase in the total volume of discharged water by 9–10 %.

scholarly journals الخصائص الطبوغرافية وتقدير كمية الحصاد المائي في قاع الجفر

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-259
Author(s):  
ميسون الزغول ميسون الزغول
Keyword(s):  
Thiessen Polygon ◽  
Polygon Method

يُعد قاع الجفر التكتوني الأكبر في هضبة الأردن الجنوبية، ويحتل الجزء الأوسط من محافظة معان، وتبلغ مساحته 12400 كم²، ليشكل ما نسبته 37.7? من المساحة الكلية لمحافظة معان البالغة 32832 كم². وقد تشكل هذا الحوض نتيجة لسلسلة من الحركات التكتونية. وتُعد ظاهرة القيعان، ومناطق الانتشار المائي من أهم الأشكال الأرضية التي تميزه. والأهداف الأساسية لهذه الدراسة تمثلت في تحليل الخصائص الطبوغرافية، وتأثيرها على أنماط الأشكال الأرضية، وتقدير كمية الحصاد المائي في هذه المنطقة. وتم اشتقاق القيعان اعتماداً على الخريطة الطبوغرافية بمقياس 1: 50000، والصورة الفضائية لعام 2018وجاءت أبرز النتائج كما يلي: (1)- تميز التوزع الجغرافي للقيعان بالتركز في ثلاثة مناطق أساسية، على الرغم من انتشار القيعان على مساحة نسبتها 51% من مساحة منطقة الدراسة.(2)- تم اشتقاق 462 قاع جاف بمساحة قدرها 422.2كم²، والتي تُشّكل ما نسبته 3.4% من المساحة الكلية لمنطقة الدراسة، مع وجود اختلافات ذات دلالة في مساحاتها ما بين المساحة الصغيرة جداً حوالي 988,م² إلى الأكبر مساحة والمتمثلة بقاع الجفر والبالغة مساحتها250.1كم².(3)- أوضحت نتائج التحليل المكاني للقيعان أنها تتركز في المناطق ذات الارتفاعات ما بين 833-1047 م وبمتوسط ارتفاع 868.6م، وانحدار تراوح ما بين 0°-13°. Thiessen polygon method (4) تقدير معدل الأمطار المساحية الموزونة اعتماداً على نموذج معدل الأمطار للعام المطري 2016/2017 حوالي 6097.393 ملم، ومعدل عمق المياه في كافة القيعان حوالي 130.255 ملم خلال تلك السنة.

Commercial microwave links instead of rain gauges: fiction or reality?

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Fencl ◽  
Jörg Rieckermann ◽  
Petr Sýkora ◽  
David Stránský ◽  
Vojtěch Bareš
Keyword(s):  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Precipitation Estimates ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Areal Rainfall ◽  
Quantitative Precipitation Estimates ◽  
Commercial Microwave Links ◽  
Unique Dataset

Commercial microwave links (MWLs) were suggested about a decade ago as a new source for quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs). Meanwhile, the theory is well understood and rainfall monitoring with MWLs is on its way to being a mature technology, with several well-documented case studies, which investigate QPEs from multiple MWLs on the mesoscale. However, the potential of MWLs to observe microscale rainfall variability, which is important for urban hydrology, has not been investigated yet. In this paper, we assess the potential of MWLs to capture the spatio-temporal rainfall dynamics over small catchments of a few square kilometres. Specifically, we investigate the influence of different MWL topologies on areal rainfall estimation, which is important for experimental design or to a priori check the feasibility of using MWLs. In a dedicated case study in Prague, Czech Republic, we collected a unique dataset of 14 MWL signals with a temporal resolution of a few seconds and compared the QPEs from the MWLs to reference rainfall from multiple rain gauges. Our results show that, although QPEs from most MWLs are probably positively biased, they capture spatio-temporal rainfall variability on the microscale very well. Thus, they have great potential to improve runoff predictions. This is especially beneficial for heavy rainfall, which is usually decisive for urban drainage design.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Rain Gauges in the Calibration of the IMERG Product: Results from the First Validation over Spain

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Tapiador ◽  
Andrés Navarro ◽  
Eduardo García-Ortega ◽  
Andrés Merino ◽  
José Luis Sánchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rain Gauge ◽  
Surface Precipitation ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Precipitation Measurement ◽  
Precipitation Estimates ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Hydrologic Impacts ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Global Precipitation Measurement ◽  
Global Precipitation

AbstractAfter 5 years in orbit, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission has produced enough quality-controlled data to allow the first validation of their precipitation estimates over Spain. High-quality gauge data from the meteorological network of the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) are used here to validate Integrated Multisatellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) level 3 estimates of surface precipitation. While aggregated values compare notably well, some differences are found in specific locations. The research investigates the sources of these discrepancies, which are found to be primarily related to the underestimation of orographic precipitation in the IMERG satellite products, as well as to the number of available gauges in the GPCC gauges used for calibrating IMERG. It is shown that IMERG provides suboptimal performance in poorly instrumented areas but that the estimate improves greatly when at least one rain gauge is available for the calibration process. A main, generally applicable conclusion from this research is that the IMERG satellite-derived estimates of precipitation are more useful (r2 > 0.80) for hydrology than interpolated fields of rain gauge measurements when at least one gauge is available for calibrating the satellite product. If no rain gauges were used, the results are still useful but with decreased mean performance (r2 ≈ 0.65). Such figures, however, are greatly improved if no coastal areas are included in the comparison. Removing them is a minor issue in terms of hydrologic impacts, as most rivers in Spain have their sources far from the coast.

scholarly journals Validation of the First Years of GPM Operation over Cyprus

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrianos Retalis ◽  
Dimitris Katsanos ◽  
Filippos Tymvios ◽  
Silas Michaelides
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Precipitation Measurement ◽  
Precipitation Estimates ◽  
First Results ◽  
Global Precipitation Measurement ◽  
Global Precipitation

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) high-resolution product is validated against rain gauges over the island of Cyprus for a three-year period, starting from April 2014. The precipitation estimates are available in both high temporal (half hourly) and spatial (10 km) resolution and combine data from all passive microwave instruments in the GPM constellation. The comparison performed is twofold: first the GPM data are compared with the precipitation measurements on a monthly basis and then the comparison focuses on extreme events, recorded throughout the first 3 years of GPM’s operation. The validation is based on ground data from a dense and reliable network of rain gauges, also available in high temporal (hourly) resolution. The first results show very good correlation regarding monthly values; however, the correspondence of GPM in extreme precipitation varies from “no correlation” to “high correlation”, depending on case. This study aims to verify the GPM rain estimates, since such a high-resolution dataset has numerous applications, including the assimilation in numerical weather prediction models and the study of flash floods with hydrological models.

Recent Atmospheric Variability at Kibo Summit, Kilimanjaro, and Its Relation to Climate Mode Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 3875-3891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Collier ◽  
Thomas Mölg ◽  
Tobias Sauter
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Atmospheric Modeling ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Atmospheric Variability ◽  
Rain Season ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Accurate knowledge of the impact of internal atmospheric variability is required for the detection and attribution of climate change and for interpreting glacier records. However, current knowledge of such impacts in high-mountain regions is largely based on statistical methods, as the observational data required for process-based assessments are often spatially or temporally deficient. Using a case study of Kilimanjaro, 12 years of convection-permitting atmospheric modeling are combined with an 8-yr observational record to evaluate the impact of climate oscillations on recent high-altitude atmospheric variability during the short rains (the secondary rain season in the region). The focus is on two modes that have a well-established relationship with precipitation during this season, El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean zonal mode, and demonstrate their strong association with local and mesoscale conditions at Kilimanjaro. Both oscillations correlate positively with humidity fluctuations, but the association is strongest with the Indian Ocean zonal mode in the air layers near and above the glaciers because of changes in zonal circulation and moisture transport, emphasizing the importance of the moisture signal from this basin. However, the most anomalous conditions are found during co-occurring positive events because of the combined effects of the (i) extended positive sea surface temperature anomalies, (ii) enhanced atmospheric moisture capacity from higher tropospheric temperatures, (iii) most pronounced weakening of the subsiding branch of the Indian Ocean Walker circulation over East Africa, and (iv) stronger monsoonal moisture fluxes upstream from Kilimanjaro. This study lays the foundation for unraveling the contribution of climate modes to observed changes in Kilimanjaro’s glaciers.

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