PICO
Rainfall is a “collective” phenomenon emerging from numerous drops. It reaches the ground surface with varying intensity, drop size and velocity distribution. Understanding the relation between the physics of individual drops and that of a population of drops remains an open challenge, both scientifically and for practical implications. This remains true also for solid precipitation. Hence, it is much needed to better understand small scale space-time precipitation variability, which is a key driving force of the hydrological response, especially in highly heterogeneous areas (mountains, cities). This hydrological response at the catchment scale is the result of the interplay between the space-time variability of precipitation, the catchment geomorphological / pedological / ecological characteristics and antecedent hydrological conditions. Similarly to the small scales, accurate measurement and prediction of the spate-time distribution of precipitation at hydrologically relevant scales still remains an open challenge.
This session brings together scientists and practitioners who aim to measure and understand precipitation variability from drop scale to catchment scale as well as its hydrological consequences. Contributions addressing one or several of the following topics are encouraged:
- Novel techniques for measuring liquid and solid precipitation variability at hydrologically relevant space and time scales (from drop to catchment scale), from in-situ measurements to remote sensing techniques, and from ground-based devices to spaceborne platforms. Innovative comparison metrics are welcomed;
- Drop (or particle) size distributions, small scale variability of precipitation, and their consequences for precipitation rate retrieval algorithms for radars, commercial microwave links and other remote sensors;
- Novel modelling or characterization tools of precipitation variability from drop scale to catchment scale from various approaches (e.g. scaling, (multi-)fractal, statistic, deterministic, numerical modelling);
- Novel approaches to better identify, understand and simulate the dominant microphysical processes at work in liquid and solid precipitation.
- Applications of measured and/or modelled precipitation fields in catchment hydrological models for the purpose of process understanding or predicting hydrological response.
- Rainfall simulators developed to investigate the accuracy of disdrometer measurements in assessing drop size and fall velocity.