Rainfall Characterization In An Arid Area

Abstract

The objective of this work is to characterize the rainfall in Doha which lies in an arid region. The rainfall data included daily rainfall depth since 1962 and the hyetographs of the individual storms since 1976. The rainfall is characterized by high variability and severe thunderstorms which are of limited geographical extent. Four probability distributions were used to fit the maximum rainfall in 24 hours and the annual rainfall depth. The extreme value distribution was found to have the best fit. The rainfall intensity-duration-frequency relationship has been developed which compares well with values obtained by other investigators in the Gulf area.