THE USE OF GEOSTATIONARY BASED RAINFALL ESTIMATION FOR CHARACTERIZING STORM SEVERITY

Abstract

This research deals with the use of geostationary satellite based rainfall estimation for characterizing storm severity. The objectives of this research are to estimate storm rainfall intensity by using Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT) blended with C-band rainfall radar data and to show the severity of the identified storm rainfall intensity by representing its return period map. A regional frequency analysis (RFA) method developed by Hosking and Wallis (1997) is used to define the frequency distribution of long-term hourly maximum rainfall over Hokkaido Island. RFA indicates that Generalized Normal/Log Normal three parameters (GNO/LN3) is suitable to describe the frequency distribution of long-term hourly maximum rainfall over Hokkaido Island. Characterization of severity of 24 August 2010 storm event has been performed over Ishikari river basin, Hokkaido according to estimated rainfall using MTSAT data. Even though the return period map shows underestimation in comparison with the current situation of flood event in Ishikari river basin, this information is useful for flood control and mitigation.