Optimizing and verifying an ensemble-based rainfall model

In this thesis, I modified, optimized, and verified the stochastic Recursive Cluster-point Rainfall model of Chatdarong (2006). A novel error metric allows comparison of the stochastic ensemble of rainfall image forecasts to a single observation (radar) image. The error metric forgives position errors and provides a flexible framework for assessing how well the model works vis-a-vis a set of image measures, including the distribution of rainfall intensities over the domain at different scales. The error metric is used in various forms to perform ad hoc optimization of the model parameters and to verify the ensemble forecast in a probabilistic framework. Verification results show that the optimized model is limited in its ability to create truly realistic rainfall patterns. Despite the model's limitations, it has unique applicability to ensemble-based rainfall data assimilation.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Friedman, Sara Hargrove

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dennis McLaughlin and Dara Entekhabi.

• Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/38953

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/38953