The Ensemble Framework for Flash Flood Forecasting: Global and CONUS Applications

Abstract:

The Ensemble Framework for Flash Flood Forecasting (EF5) is a distributed hydrologic modeling framework combining water balance components such as the Variable Infiltration Curve (VIC) and Sacramento Soil Moisture Accounting (SAC-SMA) with kinematic wave channel routing. The Snow-17 snow pack model is included as an optional component in EF5 for basins where snow impacts are important. EF5 also contains the Differential Evolution Adaptive Metropolis (DREAM) parameter estimation scheme for model calibration. EF5 is made to be user friendly and as such training has been developed into a weeklong course. This course has been tested in modeling workshops held in Namibia and Mexico. EF5 has also been applied to specialized applications including the Flooded Locations and Simulated Hydrographs (FLASH) project. FLASH aims to provide flash flood monitoring and forecasting over the CONUS using Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor precipitation forcing. Using the extensive field measurements database from the 10,000 USGS measurement locations across the CONUS, parameters were developed for the kinematic wave routing in FLASH. This presentation will highlight FLASH performance over the CONUS on basins less than 1,000 km² and discuss the development of simulated streamflow climatology over the CONUS for data mining applications. A global application of EF5 has also been developed using satellite based precipitation measurements combined with numerical weather prediction forecasts to produce flood and impact forecasts. The performance of this global system will be assessed and future plans detailed.