Improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model output

Statistical methods traditionally applied for seasonal streamflow forecasting use predictors that represent the initial catchment condition and future climate influences on future streamflows. Observations of antecedent streamflows or rainfall commonly used to represent the initial catchment conditi...

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Main Authors: D. E. Robertson, P. Pokhrel, Q. J. Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2013-02-01
Series:Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Online Access:http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/17/579/2013/hess-17-579-2013.pdf
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author D. E. Robertson
P. Pokhrel
Q. J. Wang
author_facet D. E. Robertson
P. Pokhrel
Q. J. Wang
author_sort D. E. Robertson
collection DOAJ
description Statistical methods traditionally applied for seasonal streamflow forecasting use predictors that represent the initial catchment condition and future climate influences on future streamflows. Observations of antecedent streamflows or rainfall commonly used to represent the initial catchment conditions are surrogates for the true source of predictability and can potentially have limitations. This study investigates a hybrid seasonal forecasting system that uses the simulations from a dynamic hydrological model as a predictor to represent the initial catchment condition in a statistical seasonal forecasting method. We compare the skill and reliability of forecasts made using the hybrid forecasting approach to those made using the existing operational practice of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for 21 catchments in eastern Australia. We investigate the reasons for differences. In general, the hybrid forecasting system produces forecasts that are more skilful than the existing operational practice and as reliable. The greatest increases in forecast skill tend to be (1) when the catchment is wetting up but antecedent streamflows have not responded to antecedent rainfall, (2) when the catchment is drying and the dominant source of antecedent streamflow is in transition between surface runoff and base flow, and (3) when the initial catchment condition is near saturation intermittently throughout the historical record.
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spelling doaj.art-aa5804ab0677462a9917e9f6b06ffd5a2022-12-22T02:42:50ZengCopernicus PublicationsHydrology and Earth System Sciences1027-56061607-79382013-02-0117257959310.5194/hess-17-579-2013Improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model outputD. E. RobertsonP. PokhrelQ. J. WangStatistical methods traditionally applied for seasonal streamflow forecasting use predictors that represent the initial catchment condition and future climate influences on future streamflows. Observations of antecedent streamflows or rainfall commonly used to represent the initial catchment conditions are surrogates for the true source of predictability and can potentially have limitations. This study investigates a hybrid seasonal forecasting system that uses the simulations from a dynamic hydrological model as a predictor to represent the initial catchment condition in a statistical seasonal forecasting method. We compare the skill and reliability of forecasts made using the hybrid forecasting approach to those made using the existing operational practice of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for 21 catchments in eastern Australia. We investigate the reasons for differences. In general, the hybrid forecasting system produces forecasts that are more skilful than the existing operational practice and as reliable. The greatest increases in forecast skill tend to be (1) when the catchment is wetting up but antecedent streamflows have not responded to antecedent rainfall, (2) when the catchment is drying and the dominant source of antecedent streamflow is in transition between surface runoff and base flow, and (3) when the initial catchment condition is near saturation intermittently throughout the historical record.http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/17/579/2013/hess-17-579-2013.pdf
spellingShingle D. E. Robertson
P. Pokhrel
Q. J. Wang
Improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model output
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
title Improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model output
title_full Improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model output
title_fullStr Improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model output
title_full_unstemmed Improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model output
title_short Improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model output
title_sort improving statistical forecasts of seasonal streamflows using hydrological model output
url http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/17/579/2013/hess-17-579-2013.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT derobertson improvingstatisticalforecastsofseasonalstreamflowsusinghydrologicalmodeloutput
AT ppokhrel improvingstatisticalforecastsofseasonalstreamflowsusinghydrologicalmodeloutput
AT qjwang improvingstatisticalforecastsofseasonalstreamflowsusinghydrologicalmodeloutput