Ensemble forecasting of sub-seasonal to seasonal streamflow by a Bayesian joint probability modelling approach

Abstract

The Bayesian joint probability (BJP) modelling approach is used operationally to produce seasonal (three-month-total) ensemble streamflow forecasts in Australia. However, water resource managers are calling for more informative sub-seasonal forecasts. Taking advantage of BJP’s capability of handling multiple predictands, ensemble forecasting of sub-seasonal to seasonal streamflows is investigated for 23 catchments around Australia. Using antecedent streamflow and climate indices as predictors, monthly forecasts are developed for the three-month period ahead. Forecast reliability and skill are evaluated for the period 1982–2011 using a rigorous leave-five-years-out cross validation strategy. BJP ensemble forecasts of monthly streamflow volumes are generally reliable in ensemble spread. Forecast skill, relative to climatology, is positive in 74% of cases in the first month, decreasing to 57% and 46% respectively for streamflow forecasts for the final two months of the season. As forecast skill diminishes with increasing lead time, the monthly forecasts approach climatology. Seasonal forecasts accumulated from monthly forecasts are found to be similarly skilful to forecasts from BJP models based on seasonal totals directly. The BJP modelling approach is demonstrated to be a viable option for producing ensemble time-series sub-seasonal to seasonal streamflow forecasts.