CONVERSION OF POINT RAINFALL TO AERIAL RAINFALL

(HANDOUT)

INTRODUCTION
Rainfall is a fundamental component of the Earth’s hydrological cycle, influencing
various aspects of our environment and human activities. Rainfall data is essential for
understanding and managing water resources, predicting floods, supporting agricultural
practices, and analyzing climate change impacts. However, rainfall measurements are
typically obtained at specific locations using rain gauges, providing point rainfall data.

POINT RAINFALL VS. AREAL RAINFALL

 Point Rainfall: refers to the amount of rainfall measured at a specific location using a
rain gauge. It represents the rainfall intensity at a single point in space.
 Areal Rainfall: represents the average rainfall over a specific area. It is crucial for
understanding rainfall patterns and their impact on various hydrological and
meteorological processes.

WHY IS CONVERSION NECESSARY?

Most hydrological and meteorological studies require rainfall data over an area, not
just at a single point. Conversion of point rainfall to areal rainfall allows us to estimate the
total rainfall received by a region. This information is vital for applications like flood
prediction, water resource management, and agricultural planning.

METHODS OF CONVERSION
Several methods are used to convert point rainfall to areal rainfall:
1. Arithmetic Average Method
The arithmetic-mean method of determining areal average rainfall. It involves
averaging the rainfall depths recorded at a number of gages. This method is satisfactory if
the gages are uniformly distributed over the area and the individual gage measurements do
not vary greatly about the mean.

Where:
P – observed precipitation
n – number of rain gauges
Example 1:
Calculate the mean areal depth of rainfall using Arithmetic Average Method.

Example 2:
Given with the following data. Calculate the mean areal depth of rainfall using
Arithmetic Average Method.

Solution:
2. Thiessen Polygon Method
This method divides the area into polygons around each rain gauge, where each
polygon represents the area influenced by that particular gauge. The method assumes that
the rainfall within each polygon is uniform and equal to the rainfall measured at the
corresponding gauge.
These polygons are formed as follows:
1. The stations are plotted on a map of the area drawn to a scale.
2. The adjoining stations are connected by dashed lines.
 3. Perpendicular bisectors constructed on each of these dashed lines, as shown by
the solid lines.
4. These bisectors form polygons around each station. Each polygon is
representative of the effective area for the station within the polygon. For stations
close to the boundary, the boundary forms the closing limit of the polygons.
5. The area of each polygon is determined and then multiplied by the rainfall value for
the station within the polygon.
6. The sum of item 5 divided by the total drainage area provides the weighted
average precipitation.

This is done by a graphic tool like AutoCAD or a planimeter or, alternatively, by

drawing the figure toa scale on graph paper, counting the total number of squares covered
by the polygon, and multiplying by the square of the map scale.
The areal average precipitation is then computed using the formula:

Where:
Aj - the area of the Thiessen polygon associated with rain gauge i
Pj - the rainfall measured at rain gauge i
j - total number of rain gauges
A - total area of the basin or region

Example 1:
Estimate the mean areal rainfall using Thiessen Polygon Method.

Example 2:
Estimate the mean areal rainfall using the Thiessen Polygon Method.

3. Isohyetal Method
The isohyetal method overcomes some of these difficulties by constructing contour
lines of equal rainfall (isohyets), using observed depths at rain gages and interpolation
between adjacent gages. Where there is a dense network of rain gages, isohyetal maps can
be constructed using computer programs for automated contouring.
 This is the most accurate of the three methods and provides a means of considering
the orographic (mountains) effect. The procedure as follows:
1. The stations and rainfall values are plotted on a map to a suitable scale.
2. The isohyets are drawn. The accuracy depends on the construction of the isohyets
and their intervals.
3. The area between successive isohyets is computed and multiplies by the
numerical average of the two contour (isohyets) values.
4. The sum of item 3 divided by the drainage area provides the weighted average
precipitation.
The average precipitation is then computed using the formula:

Where:
P – observed precipitation
a – area between earh pair of isohyets
A - total area of the basin or region
Example 1:
The isohyets due to a storm in a catchment together with the area of the catchment
bounded by the isohyets are given below. Estimate the mean precipitation due to the storm
using Isohyetal Method.
Example 2:
The isohyets due to a storm in a catchment together with the area of the catchment
bounded by the isohyets are given below. Estimate the mean precipitation due to the storm
using Isohyetal Method
FACTORS AFFECTING COVERSION ACCURACY
1. Rainfall Distribution
The spatial distribution of rainfall significantly affects conversion accuracy. In areas
with uniform rainfall, conversion is generally more accurate. In areas with localized storms or
complex rainfall patterns, conversion can be more challenging.
2. Density of Rain Gauges
The number and spacing of rain gauges influence the accuracy of areal rainfall
estimates. More rain gauges provide a better representation of rainfall variability. Sparse
data can lead to significant errors in conversion.
3. Terrain Topography
Elevation and slope can influence rainfall patterns, leading to variations in rainfall
distribution. Mountainous areas often experience higher rainfall on windward slopes and
lower rainfall on leeward slopes.
4. Temporal Variability
Rainfall can vary significantly over time, even within a short period. Conversion
methods should account for temporal variability to obtain accurate areal rainfall estimates.

APPLICATION OF AREAL RAINFALL

1. Hydrological Modeling
Areal rainfall data is essential for hydrological models that simulate water flow, flood
prediction, and water resource management. It helps estimate runoff, infiltration, and
evapotranspiration rates.
Example: Flood forecasting models use areal rainfall data to predict flood risks in river
basins.
2. Agricultural Applications
Areal rainfall data is used in irrigation scheduling, crop yield estimation, and drought
monitoring. It helps determine the water needs of crops and optimize irrigation practices.
Example: Farmers use areal rainfall data to decide when to irrigate their fields.
3. Meteorological Studies
Areal rainfall data is crucial for analyzing weather patterns, climate change, and
extreme weather events. It helps track precipitation trends, identify areas prone to droughts
or floods, and understand the impact of climate change on rainfall patterns.
Example: Climate scientists use areal rainfall data to assess the impact of climate change on
regional precipitation patterns.

CONCLUSION
Point rainfall is measured at a single location, while areal rainfall represents the
average rainfall over an area. Converting point rainfall to areal rainfall is essential for various
applications, including hydrological modeling, agriculture, and meteorology. Point rainfall can
be converted to areal rainfall using arithmetic average, thiessen, and isohyetal method.
Factors like rainfall distribution, gauge density, topography, and temporal variability influence
conversion accuracy.

REFERENCES
https://www.scribd.com/document/536802166/Module-6-Conversion-of-point-rainfall
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-northern-philippines/hydrology/topic-6-
estimation-of-missing-rainfall-data/24099322

Prepared by:
Bianes, Jocelyn
Balbada, Anloren
Gabinete, Mark Leonard