RESEARCH FIELD

Hydrometeorology

Hydrometeorology bridges meteorology and hydrology, studying the flux and distribution of water between the atmosphere, land surface, and subsurface. It encompasses precipitation formation and measurement, evapotranspiration representing the combined evaporation and plant transpiration that returns water to the atmosphere, streamflow generation, drought dynamics, and flood frequency analysis. A central concern is how climate change alters precipitation intensity distributions and drought frequency and severity, with cascading consequences for water resources, agriculture, and disaster risk. Researchers use multi-scale observational networks including eddy covariance flux towers, NEXRAD Doppler radar networks, and the GRACE gravity satellite for groundwater storage changes — combined with land-surface models and coupled climate-hydrology models. Remote sensing from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission and GOES satellites enables global water-cycle monitoring. Funding comes from national weather and water agencies, disaster risk reduction programmes, and development banks concerned with water security.