IDF.m

A Matlab Tool to Compute Intensity-Duration-Frequency Curves

IDF Curves are used to translate rainfall accumulation from heavy storm events into predictions of rainfall intensity. We developed a Matlab-based tool named IDF.m, which can be used to compute IDF Curves under climate change scenarios. The annual maximum rainfall events for different durations are provided by the user as a single or multiple .txt files. The tool allows the user to select any of the three most common extreme value probability density functions: (1) Gumbel, (2) Weibull, or (3) Generalized Extreme Value. This computation can be carried out under normal conditions using the original records of precipitation or under climate change scenarios. The tool also provides a parametrization of a mathematical IDF-Model that can be used to predict the maximum rainfall intensity under both normal and changing conditions. Sensitivity analysis can be easily conducted with the tool to determine how different scenarios of changing climate can be used to define potential impacts in hydraulic structures and hydrologic systems.