Impacts and Biases of Storm Regime and Sampling Networks on Extreme Precipitation Measurements across the Western Himalayas

Abstract

AbstractPrecipitation data are critical for developing a fundamental understanding of hydrologic processes and reducing flood losses, but the acquisition of reliable and representative precipitation data is extremely challenging in high mountain environments, such as the Himalayas. Remotely sensed and ground-based observations are the two primary sources of precipitation data, but can have important biases, particularly in areas of complex and steep topography. Remotely sensed [Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)] and ground-based precipitation measurements in the Sutlej River basin, India, were compared to better understand the biases and uncertainties associated with variable storm processes and precipitation sampling programs in high mountain environments. Results highlight how extreme rainfall values were the highest across the Lower Himalayas where synoptic weather systems are more prevalent, whereas extreme convective intensities were the highest across the Inner Himalayas, where orography tr...