Polarization diversity radar measurements such as reflectivity factor, differential reflectivity, and differential propagation phase are extensively used in rainfall estimation. Algorithms to estimate rainfall from polarimetric radar measurements are based on a model for the raindrop shape as a function of drop diameter. Most of the current algorithms use an equilibrium shape–size model for rai...

The Vallcebre research catchments are representative of Mediterranean mountain areas with spontaneous afforestation by Pinus sylvestris as a consequence of the abandonment of agriculture since the 1950s. In this context, transpiration, rainfall interception and internal fluxes in a Scots pine patch have been monitored. This paper presents the results obtained on temporal variability of these wa...

Landslides occurred in the Lisbon area during the last 50 years were almost always induced by rainfall and have been used to establish rainfall thresholds for regional landslide activity. In 2006, three new rainfall-triggered landslide events occurred in the study area, namely on the 20 March, the 25–27 October, and the 28 November. Landslide events occurred in March and October 2006 include sh...

We describe a failure of standard extremal models to account for a catastrophic rainfall event in the coastal regions of Venezuela on 14–16 December 1999, due both to inaccurate tail modelling and to an inadequate treatment of clusters of rare events. We investigate this failure, using a Dirichlet mixture model to approximate a form of moving maximum process that should provide accurate models ...

This paper explores potential flood resilience approaches for the highly urbanised Wortley Beck river basin, south west of the City of Leeds, UK. Integrated 1D and 2D hydrodynamic modelling, using the ISIS and TUFLOW has been utilised to explore potential impact of SuDS on the flood hazard for three (1:15, 1:50 and 1:100) flood events. A direct rainfall runoff modelling approach has been employ...

these four event types on the high-elevation Altiplano-Puna Plateau as well as in the main river catchments along the foothills of the Andes. Our results suggest that one to two particularly large squall lines per season, originating from northern Brazil, indirectly trigger large, long-lasting thunderstorms on the Altiplano Plateau. In general, we observe that extreme rainfall in the catchments...

An innovative soft water level sensor is proposed to characterize the hydrological behaviour of agricultural catchments by measuring rainfall and stream flows. This sensor works as a capacitor coupled with a capacitance to frequency converter and measures water level at an adjustable time step acquisition. It was designed to be handy, minimally invasive and optimized in terms of energy consumpt...

Little is known about the sediment delivery of single flood events although it has been well known that the sediment delivery ratio at the inter-annual time scale is close to 1 in the Chinese Loess Plateau. This study examined the sediment delivery of single flood events and the influencing factors in a headwater basin of the Loess Plateau, where hyperconcentrated flows are dominant. Data obser...

The dispersion and initial transport of Cryptosporidium oocysts from fecal pats were investigated during artificial rainfall events on intact soil blocks (1,500 by 900 by 300 mm). Rainfall events of 55 mm h(-1) for 30 min and 25 mm h(-1) for 180 min were applied to soil plots with artificial fecal pats seeded with approximately 10(7) oocysts. The soil plots were divided in two, with one side de...

The radiation monitoring network in the Netherlands is designed to detect and track increased radiation levels, dose rate more specifically, in 10-minute intervals. The network consists of 153 monitoring stations. Washout of radon progeny by rainfall is the most important cause of natural variations in dose rate. The increase in dose rate at a given time is a function of the amount of progeny d...