Uptake of bias corrected GPM IMERG products by the Mekong River Commission for Operational Flood Forecasting Services
Abstract
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of weather-related events such as floods and droughts. However, the current global network of operational, on-the-ground rain gauges is limited and provides relatively poor information for predicting extreme rainfall events and larger precipitation patterns. Innovative technologies reflected in the global scale include the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission which have now demonstrated that reliable precipitation estimates can be obtained over much of the earth's surface, though these estimates can be made even better via ground observations. In this regard, SERVIR-Mekong, a joint project between NASA and USAID has developed a service incorporating GPM for flood forecasting services by the Mekong River Commission (MRC). Besides stakeholder engagements, we present scientific processes and studies which enabled development and uptake with MRC. This included a validation study of all GPM IMERG products, comparison of three bias correction methods for GPM IMERG early versions and modeling sensitivity analysis. In the validation study, a basis for bias correction for the early version is established. While comparison provided the best performing bias correction approach meeting the MRC's operational requirements and ensuing modeling sensitivity analysis established, the bias corrected IMERG product provides better stream flow and water level results. Implementation of these processes was enabled in an easy to use product called GPM BICO (BIas COrrection) with capacity building sessions conducted at MRC Flood Forecasting Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In summary, we contend that via service planning, and related research studies allowed for a scientifically informed exchanges, related product development, capacity building and implementation of the IMERG product into MRC's operational Riverine Flood Forecasting System.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMGC42C..02W
- Keywords:
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- 1622 Earth system modeling;
- GLOBAL CHANGE;
- 1630 Impacts of global change;
- GLOBAL CHANGE;
- 1632 Land cover change;
- GLOBAL CHANGE;
- 1640 Remote sensing;
- GLOBAL CHANGE