A depth‐area‐duration model of storm rainfall in the Southern Great Plains

A depth‐area‐duration model for Oklahoma rainstorms was developed using 10 years of data from a dense network of recording rain gages covering a 3885‐km 2 area. A nonlinear least squares procedure was used to fit the data to the model. The model developed can be used to convert storm center point rainfall amounts to mean rainfall in areas up to 3100 km 2 and durations up to 24 hours. The model seems to have predictive value, especially for storms occurring in the Great Plains. Comparison of the model curves with actual depth‐area curves for two storms, Black Hills, South Dakota, and north central Oklahoma, showed that the model‐simulated depth‐area curves were within the experimental error of model development. Data from a network of gages located in the Chicago urban area were used to evaluate the model parameters with similar results.