HyMeX - Advances in understanding and forecasting of heavy precipitation and flash floods in the Mediterranean

Abstract

The HyMeX international research project (Hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean eXperiment, www.hymex.org), as part of the multi-agency MISTRALS program launched in 2010 for a 10-y period, aims at advancing our understanding of the water cycle in the Mediterranean, and in particular to improve knowledge and forecasting of hydrometeorological risks. At the heart of the HyMeX project, are the study and forecasting of heavy precipitation and flash flood events that regularly affect the Mediterranean region. After a presentation of the general observation strategy which combined research field campaigns, reinforcement of observations during several autumns and collections of socio-hydrological data after the major events in the region during the period, an overall review of the scientific advances made since the launch of HyMeX is given both in terms of knowledge and modelling of Mediterranean episodes of intense rainfall and their impacts, and in terms of evaluation and improvement of forecasting methods and systems, in particular short-term hydrometeorological ensemble forecasting systems based on the numerical weather prediction model AROME of Météo-France.