Spatial rainfall variability in a small catchment of southwest Spain

Abstract

Spatial variability is an identifying feature of the pluviometry of the Iberian Peninsula, but little is known for small catchment and especially for the temporal scale of rain episodes. The aim is to describe and analyze the spatial rainfall variability at different time scales in a small catchment. Analyzes include the calculation of mean rainfall in the basin using the arithmetic mean and Thiessen Polygons. In the study of the spatial variability at event scale, six groups were established based on daily rainfall and intensities as criteria. The main results show that rain gauges located in the upper part of the catchment, recorded higher rainfall. Rainfall events with higher intensities present greater spatial variability, where the relief orientation and exposure to prevailing winds affect the spatial variability. Regarding episodes of precipitation, events with higher intensities show a greater spatial variability.