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On the Dominant Factor Controlling Seasonal Hydrological Forecast Skill in China

Journal Article · · Water (Basel)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/w9110902· OSTI ID:1430451
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing (China)
  2. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing (China); Univ. of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (China)
  3. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), College Park, MD (United States). Joint Global Change Research Inst.
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Initial conditions (ICs) and climate forecasts (CFs) are the two primary sources of seasonal hydrological forecast skill. However, their relative contribution to predictive skill remains unclear in China. In this study, we investigate the relative roles of ICs and CFs in cumulative runoff (CR) and soil moisture (SM) forecasts using 31-year (1980–2010) ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) and reverse-ESP (revESP) simulations with the Variable Capacity Infiltration (VIC) hydrologic model. The results show that the relative importance of ICs and CFs largely depends on climate regimes. The influence of ICs is stronger in a dry or wet-to-dry climate regime that covers the northern and western interior regions during the late fall to early summer. In particular, ICs may dominate the forecast skill for up to three months or even six months during late fall and winter months, probably due to the low precipitation value and variability in the dry period. In contrast, CFs become more important for most of southern China or during summer months. The impact of ICs on SM forecasts tends to cover larger domains than on CR forecasts. These findings will greatly benefit future work that will target efforts towards improving current forecast levels for the particular regions and forecast periods.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1430451
Report Number(s):
PNNL--SA-130911; KP1703030
Journal Information:
Water (Basel), Journal Name: Water (Basel) Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 9; ISSN WATEGH; ISSN 2073-4441
Publisher:
MDPICopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
China
climate forecasts
cumulative runoff
drought
flood
hurricanes