Extreme Precipitation Depths for Texas, excluding the Trans-Pecos Region

Date

1998

Authors

Lanning-Rush, Jennifer, William H. Asquith and Raymond M. Slade, Jr.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Information Services

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation, conducted a study of extreme precipitation depths for various durations and storm areas for Texas, excluding the Trans-Pecos region. The extreme precipitation depth is an estimate, from documented storms, of the largest precipitation depth expected to occur over a given area. The extreme precipitation depth exceeds the precipitation depth associated with recurrence intervals greater than 100 years. Storm durations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days were investigated for this report. The extreme precipitation depth for a particular area is estimated from an "extreme precipitation curve" (an upper limit or envelope curve developed from graphs of extreme precipitation depths for each climatic region). The extreme precipitation curves were determined using precipitation depth-duration information from a subset (24 "extreme" storms) of 213 "notable" storms documented throughout Texas. The extreme precipitation curves can be used to estimate extreme precipitation depth for a particular area. The extreme precipitation depth represents a limiting depth, which can provide useful comparative information for more quantitative analyses.

Description

38 pages

Keywords

precipitation, meteorology, observations, climatic extremes, climate, rainfall

Citation