Every Storm Tells a Different Story
Rainfall inputs shape the results of hydrologic models and the infrastructure decisions based on them. Engineers have many options for representing storms, from standard temporal distributions to methods based on a catalog of rainfall events. Each approach involves choices about storm timing, duration, location, and regional relevance. This presentation explores how some of these choices influence runoff estimates, flood risk, and design outcomes. It connects established design-storm practices with emerging approaches for using a catalog of plausible storms and regional climate information. The discussion will help engineers recognize key rainfall assumptions, understand their implications, and select methods that fit the study purpose and level of risk.
Biography
Dr. Mohsen Tahmasebi Nasab is a water resources engineer and H&H Technical Excellence Practice Leader, US West, at AECOM whose expertise spans hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, cold‑climate watershed analysis, and depression‑dominated terrains. At AECOM, Mohsen’s work is focused on hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, flood risk reduction, and climate resilience. He supports projects for federal and state clients while also leading automation efforts to streamline modeling workflows using artificial intelligence.
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