Understanding Flash Floods Through Storm Tracking is a HydroLearn module developed by researchers from the AHWA Lab at IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, University of Iowa.
The module introduces learners to the connection between mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), extreme rainfall, watershed response, and flash flooding through the analysis of real-world events.
Learners examine a June 2024 flash flood event in Iowa using satellite precipitation, storm-tracking information, and streamflow observations. The module combines conceptual material with hands-on computational activities that guide learners from storm identification to interpretation of the hydrologic response.
Technical Components
The module introduces learners to:
- Mesoscale convective systems and their main characteristics.
- Object-based storm tracking.
- Satellite-based precipitation observations.
- Flash flood identification from streamflow time series.
- Rainfall–runoff response and lag time.
- Relationships between storm movement, intensity, accumulation, size, duration, and watershed response.
- Public-facing post-event communication.
A key component of the module is its integration with HydroShare, where learners can access computational resources and datasets to run the storm-tracking workflow and perform flash flood identification. This allows students to work directly with Earth observation and hydrologic data in a reproducible computational environment.
The final activity asks learners to integrate their meteorological and hydrologic analyses into a short public-facing post-event assessment, similar to products used to communicate significant hydrometeorological events.
Intended Audience
The module is designed for senior undergraduate and graduate students in hydrology and environmental science, as well as early-career professionals interested in hydrometeorology, remote sensing, and operational forecasting.
Basic familiarity with hydrology, remote sensing, and Python is recommended.
Development Team
The module was developed by Vanessa Robledo, Delicious Rahman Kaba, and Mohamed Abdelkader, with Humberto Vergara serving as course mentor.
Explore the module here:
Understanding Flash Floods Through Storm Tracking
Access computational resources on HydroShare:
HydroShare.org