Long-term rainfall risk from tropical cyclones in coastal areas

Langousis, A; Veneziano, D

dc.contributor.author	Langousis, A	en
dc.contributor.author	Veneziano, D	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T02:14:57Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T02:14:57Z
dc.date.issued	2009	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/30192
dc.title	Long-term rainfall risk from tropical cyclones in coastal areas	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1029/2008WR007624	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2008WR007624	en
heal.publicationDate	2009	en
heal.abstract	We develop a methodology for the frequency of extreme rainfall intensities caused by tropical cyclones (TCs) in coastal areas. The model does not account for landfall effects. This makes the developed framework best suited for open-water sites and coastal areas with flat topography. The mean rainfall field associated with a TC with maximum tangential wind speed Vmax, radius of maximum winds Rmax, and translation speed Vt is obtained using a physically-based model, whereas rainfall variability at both large scales (from storm to storm) and small scales (due to rainbands and local convection) is modeled statistically. The statistical component is estimated using precipitation radar (PR) data from the TRMM mission. Taylor’s hypothesis is used to convert spatial rainfall intensity fluctuations to temporal fluctuations at a given location A. The combined physical-statistical model gives the distribution of the maximum rainfall intensity at A during an averaging period D for a TC with characteristics (Vmax, Rmax, Vt) that passes at a given distance from A. To illustrate the use of the model for long-term rainfall risk analysis, we formulate a recurrence model for tropical cyclones in the Gulf of Mexico that make landfall between longitudes 85o-95oW. We then use the rainfall and recurrence models to assess the rainfall risk for New Orleans. For return periods of 100 years or more and long averaging durations (D around 12-24 hours), tropical cyclones dominate over other rainfall event types, whereas the reverse is true for shorter return periods or shorter averaging durations.	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1029/2008WR007624	en