Non-uniform rainfall increases flood risk in urban areas, study finds.
Land surface changes from development can cause flash floods. The runoff coefficient, C, shows how rainfall affects runoff in an area. A study used a sand flume to mimic rainfall effects on different land covers. They found that where rain falls affects flood peak and runoff volume. Non-uniform rainfall leads to higher runoff coefficients. To predict floods accurately, we need to consider both where and when rain falls.