Modification of input datasets for the Ensemble Streamflow Prediction based on large-scale climatic indices and weather generator

Abstract

Summary Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP) provides an efficient tool for seasonal hydrological forecasts. In this study, we propose a new modification of input data series for the ESP system used for the runoff volume prediction with a lead of one month. These series are not represented by short historical weather datasets but by longer generated synthetic weather data series. Before their submission to the hydrological model, their number is restricted by relations among observed meteorological variables (average monthly precipitation and temperature) and large-scale climatic patterns and indices (e.g. North Atlantic Oscillation, sea level pressure values and two geopotential heights). This modification was tested over a four-year testing period using the river basin in central Europe. The LARS-WG weather generator proved to be a suitable tool for the extension of the historical weather records. The modified ESP approach proved to be more efficient in the majority of months compared both to the original ESP method and reference forecast (based on probability distribution of historical discharges). The improvement over traditional ESP was most obvious in the narrower forecast interval of the expected runoff volume. The inefficient forecasts of the modified ESP scheme (compared to traditional ESP) were conditioned by an insufficient restriction of input synthetic weather datasets by the climate forecast.