Articles | Volume 20, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-20-2791-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-20-2791-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Simulation of extreme rainfall and streamflow events in small Mediterranean watersheds with a one-way-coupled atmospheric–hydrologic modelling system
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A. Desio”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
Adriana Bruggeman
Energy Environment and Water Research Center, The Cyprus Institute,
Nicosia, 2121, Cyprus
George Zittis
Climate and Atmosphere Research Center, The Cyprus Institute,
Nicosia, 2121, Cyprus
Ioannis Sofokleous
Energy Environment and Water Research Center, The Cyprus Institute,
Nicosia, 2121, Cyprus
Joël Arnault
Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe Institute
of Technology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 82467, Germany
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The temporal changes and spatial patterns in precipitation events do not show a homogeneous tendency across the Sinai Peninsula. Mediterranean cyclones accompanied by the Red Sea and Persian troughs are responsible for the majority of Sinai's extreme rainfall events. Cyclone tracking captures 156 cyclones (rainfall ≥10 mm d-1) either formed within or transferred to the Mediterranean basin precipitating over Sinai.
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Gaining a complete understanding of extreme weather, from its physical drivers to its impacts on society, is important in supporting future risk reduction and adaptation measures. Here, we provide a review of the available scientific literature, knowledge gaps and key open questions in the study of extreme weather events over the vulnerable eastern Mediterranean region.
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Short summary
Can numerical models simulate intense rainfall events and consequent streamflow in a mountainous area with small watersheds well? We applied state-of-the-art one-way-coupled atmospheric–hydrologic models and we found that, despite rainfall events simulated with low errors, large discrepancies between the observed and simulated streamflow were observed. Shifts in time and space of the modelled rainfall peak are the main reason. Still, the models can be applied for climate change impact studies.
Can numerical models simulate intense rainfall events and consequent streamflow in a mountainous...
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