On the use of indices to study extreme precipitation on sub-daily and daily timescales


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Date

2019-12

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

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Data

Abstract

While there are obstacles to the exchange of long-term high temporal resolution precipitation data, there have been fewer barriers to the exchange of so-called 'indices'. These are derived from daily and sub-daily data and measure aspects of precipitation frequency, duration and intensity that could be used for the study of extremes. This paper outlines the history of the rationale and use of these indices, the types of indices that are frequently used and the advantages and pitfalls in analysing them. Moving forward, satellite precipitation products are now showing the potential to provide global climate indices to supplement existing products using longer-term in situ gauge records but we suggest that to advance this area differences between data products, limitations in satellite-based estimation processes, and the inherent challenges of scale need to be better understood.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

14 (12)

Pages / Article No.

125008

Publisher

IOP Publishing

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Climate indices; Precipitation extremes; Observations

Organisational unit

03778 - Seneviratne, Sonia / Seneviratne, Sonia check_circle

Notes

Funding

617518 - Land-Climate Interactions: Constraints for Droughts and Heatwaves in a Changing Climate (EC)

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