Application of an X-Band Multiparameter Radar Network for Rain-Based Urban Flood Forecasting
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 22, Issue 5
Abstract
Urban floods can occur immediately after heavy rainfall depending on the characteristics of the urban environment. Therefore, earlier warnings, even by 5–10 min, are crucial in terms of human safety. In this case study, an X-band multiparameter (X-MP) radar network, which has a 1-min temporal and 250-m spatial resolution, was employed to forecast urban floods in Kobe, Japan. The X-MP radar data can be used for flood prediction when coupled with urban flood alert criteria nomographs. Thus, a specific objective of this study was to develop a flood alert criteria nomograph for the Toga River in Kobe, Japan. To evaluate its applicability, flood events were reproduced using the nomograph and the data were compared with observed rain gauge and radar rainfall data of actual flooding events. Additionally, flood occurrences were predicted using the nomograph and forecasted X-MP radar rainfall data using a short-term rainfall prediction method. It was demonstrated that the method is accurate and can provide adequate lead time for flood warnings.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the River Technology Development Research project of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan, and it was also funded by the Korea Meteorological Administration Research and Development Program under the Grant Weather Information Service Engine (WISE) project, KMA-2012-0001. We thank these organizations for all of their support.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 22 • Issue 5 • May 2017
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 23, 2014
Accepted: Jun 26, 2015
Published online: Aug 26, 2015
Discussion open until: Jan 26, 2016
Published in print: May 1, 2017
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