The Research Unit (RU) RealPEP develops a flash-flood prediction system for small to medium-size river catchments for Germany including significant improvements at all stages along the process chain (precipitation estimation, nowcasting, numerical prediction, hydrological modelling) exploiting the full observational state evolution information of the soil and the precipitation-generating atmosphere.

RealPEP makes use of radar polarimetric and Commercial Microwave Link information for quantitative precipitation estimates, radar and satellite data for quantitative precipitation nowcasting of the future one to three hours, the assimilation of all this information in numerical weather prediction for quantitative precipitation forecasting, and feeds the results in hydrological models which provides forecasts for water levels and runoff.

While the first funding phase did develop the individual components to a first application-ready state, phase 2 will further advance in these efforts and combines all parts into one ensemble-based flash-flood prediction system and provides for it in-depth evaluation.