Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2017-963
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2017-963
06 Dec 2017
 | 06 Dec 2017
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ACP but the revision was not accepted.

On the Use of Measurements from a Commercial Microwave Link for Evaluation of Flash Floods in Arid Regions

Adam Eshel, Hagit Messer, Jonatan Ostrometzky, Roi Raich, Pinhas Alpert, and Jonathan B. Laronne

Abstract. Flash flood warning in deserts is a challenging task, and local rain bursts are of high significance. In the last decade, commercial microwave telecommunication links have been shown to be a valuable tool for near ground rainfall estimations. Dense networks are used for highly accurate rainfall estimates, while isolated links, typical in rural areas, can detect the existence of near-ground rainfall. However, the induced attenuation of the signal integrates the rainfall along a line, therefore high local rain intensities are smoothed. In this paper, we propose a novel method that uses the integration of measurements from an isolated long microwave link with measurements from weather radar to identify potential conditions for flash floods. In particular, we suggest using radar measurements to indicate the rain variability (spottiness) along a 16 km long link, crossing Wadi Ze'elim catchment (245 km2), using kurtosis as a spottiness index. Quantitative ground level rainfall measurements are then provided by the link. When compared with analyzed discharge, inverse kurtosis-rain rate relation is associated with flash flood responses in Wadi Ze'elim, an ephemeral Wadi located in the Dead Sea.

Adam Eshel, Hagit Messer, Jonatan Ostrometzky, Roi Raich, Pinhas Alpert, and Jonathan B. Laronne
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Adam Eshel, Hagit Messer, Jonatan Ostrometzky, Roi Raich, Pinhas Alpert, and Jonathan B. Laronne
Adam Eshel, Hagit Messer, Jonatan Ostrometzky, Roi Raich, Pinhas Alpert, and Jonathan B. Laronne

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Latest update: 27 Mar 2024
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Short summary
The power of a signal between two telecommunication (cellular) towers weakens when rain falls in the medium. Through which, accurate rain intensity at ground level in remote areas can be derived. This unique database, together with weather radar data was used to show the feasibility of its integration into short-term flash flood warning in arid areas, a challenging task using traditional means. Commercial towers are widely spread sensors and were therefore used opportunistically.
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