Uncertainty of runoff modelling at the hillslope scale due to temporal variations of rainfall intensity

Modelling of infiltration excess surface runoff is related with high uncertainty due to small scale variability, such as small scale spatial variability of soil properties or temporal variations in rainfall intensity. This article focuses on the uncertainty which is due to temporal variations of rainfall intensity by means of a modelling study at the hillslope scale. The model used is physically based and spatially distributed at the hillslope and micro-catchment scale. A case study is presented using data from an experimental hillslope in a loessy catchment. The results reflect the importance of the temporal variations of rainfall intensity for runoff generation, i.e., the variations of the meteorological forcing are essential for runoff generation at the scale discussed here. This is particularly important for "medium size" storms, i.e., where the produced runoff volume is small compared to the water retained in the catchment. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.