FLOODRELIEF develops a flexible, low-cost and high-resolution operational weather forecasting system for flood forecasting

High resolution nested precipitation forecasting is key to improving both the spatial resolution and accuracy required for flood forecasting.

A pre-requisite for accurate flood forecasting is the provision of accurate weather forecasts operating at high spatial resolution. Within the FLOODRELIEF project a low cost nested weather forecasting system applicable to European river catchment areas has been developed. However the portability of the system means that it, in principle, can be applied anywhere in the world.

The FLOODRELIEF project aims to address limitations in current flood forecasting systems. This is achieved by exploiting and integrating different sources of forecast information, including improved hydrological and meteorological model systems and databases, radar, advanced data assimilation procedures and uncertainty estimation, into real-time flood management decision support tool designed to meet the needs of regional flood forecasting authorities.

Accurate regional flood forecasting requires accurate weather forecasting operating at high spatial resolution (down to a few kilometres). The FLOODRELIEF weather forecasting system is a novel approach to operational forecasting developed by NERI in Denmark to meet these needs. More information on the system can be found on the FLOODRELIEF web site: http://projects.dhi.dk/floodrelief

Key new features of this new weather forecasting system include

• Low cost weather forecasting and quantitative precipitation forecasts in relation to traditional weather forecasting systems which make it highly competitive both within and outside Europe
• The low-cost high flexibility and portability mean that it can be used anywhere in the world. And makes weather forecasting accessible for regional flood forecasting authorities
• Internet-based system is highly accessible and public access is possible for a wide range of end-users including pilots, local authorities, city authorities, farmers, construction companies etc.
• It has the potential to be applied to a range of general weather forecasting applications, including general weather forecasting, air pollution forecasting, weather hazards such as storms, tidal and coastal surges wind mill operations, etc.
• High resolution nested precipitation forecasting is key to improving both the spatial resolution and accuracy required for flood forecasting.
• The system is highly flexible allowing different levels of nesting, options for both hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic application, various precipitation parameterisations, simple Kalman filter processing

FLOOD RELIEF is being undertaken by a group of 7 European partners with complementary expertise in development and application of numerical weather forecasting systems, flood forecasting systems, radar, data assimilation, uncertainty estimation, flood warning and decision support tools.

DHI Water & Environment is co-ordinating this project including the development of the flood decision support system

Further information from Michael Butts, mib@dhi.dk, +45 45 16 92 72

FLOOD RELIEF is supported by the European Commission under the Fifth Framework Programme and contributing to the implementation of the Key Action "Sustainable Management and Quality of Water" within the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development.

FLOOD RELIEF
- A real-time decision support system integrating hydrological, meteorological and radar technologies