Le radar comme aide à l'estimation quantitative des précipitations. Prévision des crues éclairs en Martinique

The use of radar as an aid to quantitative estimation of precipitation. Forecasting sudden floods in Martinique

Service météorologique métropolitain, Le Bourget

Abstract

Martinique, a densely populated, mountainous island coving 1100 km2, suffers torrential rainfall. Rapid flooding and landslides can sometimes reach catastrophic proportions. How can the knowledge of downpours be improved and a correct warning be given when the reaction time is only 3 to 4 hours ? An experiment was conducted over a period of 18 months in a basin of less than 100 km2. Joint use of a fairly primitive radar which was tricky to use, conventional analytical methods from the Lamentin meteorological centre and, above all, a network of telemetered rain-gauges made it possible to envisage a valid solution to the problem. This is also at a relatively low cost because a reception system with an uninterrupted service and smooth emergency broadcasting systems are already available.