Hidrometeorological

Hidrometeorological, commonly rendered in English as hydrometeorology, is the scientific discipline that studies the interaction between the atmosphere and the Earth's hydrosphere as it relates to the distribution and movement of water. It focuses on processes that link weather and the water cycle, including precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, runoff, river discharge, and groundwater recharge. It integrates meteorology, hydrology, climatology, and geography to understand how atmospheric conditions influence water availability and hazards.

Data and methods in hydrometeorology rely on observations from weather stations, radar, satellites, rain gauges, stream gauges, and soil moisture sensors. It uses numerical models that couple atmospheric and land surface processes to forecast rainfall, runoff, and river flow. Remote sensing provides spatially distributed estimates of precipitation and soil moisture, enabling analysis over large or inaccessible areas.

Applications of hydrometeorology include flood forecasting and warning, drought monitoring, water resources planning, reservoir operation, irrigation management, urban drainage design, and climate risk assessment. It supports decision-making in agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management by providing timely information about the water cycle and its extremes.

Hydrometeorological hazards such as floods, flash floods, and extreme rainfall events are central concerns for civil protection and planning agencies. National meteorological and hydrological services, along with international organizations like the World Meteorological Organization, maintain observing networks and standards to improve prediction, monitoring, and response.

Variations of the term exist in different languages, such as hidrometeorología or hidrometeorológico, but hydrometeorology is the common English usage.