Improving the Accuracy of Rainfall Records in the UK through the Development of a Comprehensive Undercatch Correction Methodology

This project seeks to investigate the influence of rainfall characteristics and environmental conditions on undercatch extent in the context of the UK. Firstly, a comparative analysis of a hydrological model's sensitivity to both the spatial distribution of rainfall and the undercatch phenomenon will be explored. This analysis will incorporate radar and point gauge data. Secondly, the intricate relationship between rainfall characteristics, environmental conditions, and undercatch extent will be determined through a combination of laboratory experiments, fieldwork studies and data analysis. The spatiotemporal sensitivity of this relationship will be assessed by comparing data gathered over an extended observation period and from diverse range of locations. Subsequently, the findings of the proceeding studies will be combined to develop a robust undercatch correction methodology for historic rainfall data. Finally, the impact of undercatch correction on various applications will be assessed by comparing the outputs generated by original and modified datasets. Overall, this research seeks to advance our understanding of the undercatch phenomena, thereby improving the accuracy of historic rainfall records and the hydrological studies derived from them.