The effect of depth‐duration‐frequency model recalibration on rainfall return period estimates

Vesuviano, Gianni ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2157-8875; Stewart, Elizabeth ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4246-6645; Spencer, Peter; Miller, James D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7705-8898. 2021 The effect of depth‐duration‐frequency model recalibration on rainfall return period estimates. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 14 (2), e12703. 13, pp. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12703

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text N529961JA.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

In November 2009 and December 2015, two record‐breaking 24‐hr rainfalls occurred in Cumbria, UK, significantly changing the perception of flood risk for local communities. FEH13, the current UK rainfall depth‐duration‐frequency (DDF) model, estimated return periods of around 1,000 years for both events. The previous model, FEH99, received criticism from panel engineers responsible for making technical safety decisions relating to reservoirs for appearing to estimate relatively short return periods for extreme events. Although FEH13 is more consistent with current probable maximum precipitation (PMP) estimates, there is high uncertainty in both models due to the limited number of extremes captured by UK rain gauges. Furthermore, neither model included the 2009 or 2015 event in its calibration. Here, we re‐calibrate FEH13 using additional gauged rainfall data collected in Cumbria during 2006–2016, including the record‐breaking 2009 and 2015 storms. Using the updated calibration data set reduces the estimated return periods of the 2009 and 2015 events to approximately 140 years each. This case study illustrates the considerable uncertainty in short‐sample records, demonstrates the importance of maximising the quantity of relevant calibration data, shows that perception of risk depends upon the method and data used, and illustrates the difficulty of separating trends and natural variability.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12703
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Hydro-climate Risks (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	1753-318X
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	climate change, extreme events, mapping of hazard and risk, risk perception
NORA Subject Terms:	Hydrology Meteorology and Climatology
Date made live:	26 Mar 2021 11:08 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/529961

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...