Estimation of Probable Maximum Precipitation in Thailand Using Geographic Information System

Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) is essential in the design of hydraulic structures such as dams, weirs and flood control structures. Up to the present, PMP has been derived from any proper single storm which can have a large error. PMP values should be evaluated from many historic heavy storm events from all over the country. Since this can be done at the spots of storm occurring and the calculated PMP from all spots in the country can be correlated. The objectives of this study are therefore to evaluate PMP from historic heavy storm data from 1972 to 2000 by using meteorological method, then to correlate and to present the results using GIS. The maximized rainfall depths can be calculate from depth of heavy rainfall and dew point temperature, and then can be analyzed for each rainfall duration to obtain spatial rainfall distribution by using GIS. The depth-area-duration relationship of maximized rainfall can be obtained and this helps to develop enveloped curves . The results from this study are a set of contour maps of PMP for each rainfall duration for all over the country and the depth-area-duration relationships for the area of 100 to 50,000 km.$^{2}$ at duration of 1, 2 and 3 days.