Computer-aided forecasting systems for extreme events

Heavy rainfall and flash floods can cause significant damage in river catchments and, in extreme cases, lead to catastrophic impacts as it was the case during the flood in the Ahr valley in 2021. The first phase of the Helmholtz Climate Initiative focused on simulating and assessing extreme precipitation events and floods, the resulting infrastructure damage, and impacts of stormwater overflows on water quality and ecology. More on Phase I. 

The current project aims to produce meteorological and hydrological future scenarios that will help assess the future risk potential for heavy rainfall in vulnerable catchments in Germany.

The project includes the following work packages: (i) The analysis of historical extreme precipitation events and flash floods in Germany and development of forecasting systems for flash floods, (ii) the development of meteorological hydrological-hydraulic model systems, and (iii) the development of scenarios for analogous extreme events for future climate states.

Go back to project overview