Daily vs. hourly simulation for estimating future flood peaks in mesoscale catchments

Abstract Daily hydrological models are commonly used to study changes in flood peaks due climate change. Although they often lead an underestimation of absolute floods, it is assumed that future smaller mesoscale catchments less underestimated when examining the relative change signal floods. In this study, applicability hypothesis investigated by comparing results a daily model set, calibrated on runoff hydrographs, with hourly set peak distributions. For analysis, RCP8.5 ensemble disaggregated values and simulated basis for six Central Germany. Absolute floods compared between both sets. The show significant differences sets, most cases caused underestimations modeling process. contrast, two sets not especially higher return periods. To improve studies coarse time step, use instead recommended.