Assessment of Precipitation Error Propagation in Discharge Simulations over the Contiguous United States

Abstract This study characterizes precipitation error propagation through a distributed hydrological model based on the river basins across Contiguous United States (CONUS), to better understand relationship between errors in inputs and simulated discharge (i.e., P-Q relationship). The NLDAS-2 its are used as reference compare with TMPA-3B42 V7, TMPA-3B42RT StageIV, CPC-U, MERRA-2, MSWEP-2.2 for 1,548 well gauged basins. relative multiple conventional products their corresponding discharges analysed period of 2002-2013. results reveal positive linear relationships at annual monthly timescales, stronger linearity larger temporal accumulations. Precipitation can be doubled accumulated discharge. Moreover, strongly dampened characterized by temperate continental climate regimes, particularly peak discharges, showing highly nonlinear relationships. Radar-based product consistently shows dampening effects simulations different accumulation timescales compared other products. Although basin size topography also influence errors, roles depend largely products, seasons regimes.