Evaluation of the WRF Model to Simulate a High-Intensity Rainfall Event over Kampala, Uganda

Simulating high-intensity rainfall events that trigger local floods using a Numerical Weather Prediction model is challenging as rain-bearing systems are highly complex and localized. In this study, we analyze the performance of Research Forecasting (WRF) model’s capability in simulating event variety parameterization combinations over Kampala catchment, Uganda. The study uses caused flood hazard on 25 June 2012 case study. to simulate performed for 24 simulations with different combination eight microphysics (MP), four cumulus (CP), three planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes. results evaluated terms total 24-h amount its temporal spatial distributions catchment Technique Order Preference by Similarity Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) analysis. Rainfall observations from two gauging stations CHIRPS satellite product served benchmark. Based TOPSIS analysis, find most successful consists such Morrison 2-moment scheme combined Grell-Freitas (GF) ACM2 PBL good score. However, WRF has triggered parts seems weak (i.e., 0.5, where ideal score 1). Although there high variability triggering localized simulated only few pockets it remarkable see capable producing kind neighborhood Kampala. This confirms tropical rain depends proper choice parametrization combinations.