RAINFALL-RUNOFF ESTIMATION USING DIGITAL RADAR

Storm runoff is a concern to meteorologists and hydrological forecasters.A radar basin-based runoff algorithm ispresented.The algorithm is based on the relationship between the rainfall over the basin and the discharge response atthe gauge station.The algorithm is designed to provide runoff as a function of time for a given input(s)of rainfall.Withknown overflow levels,flood potential can also be evaluated.The runoff algorithm examined outflow at five basins with-in the operating scope of the Pittsburgh National Weather Service(NWS)radar.A comparison of the observed runoffwas made with the algorithm generated discharge.In general,hydrograph accuracies improved with increasing rainfallexcess.Possible reasons for discrepancies are examined.