Conference on Precipitation Processes - Estimation and Prediction (PrePEP). Book of Abstracts

The international conference Precipitation Processes - Estimation and Prediction (PrePEP) discussed multi-sensor, newly emerging, and opportunistic in-situ and remote sensing techniques to better understand and monitor precipitation processes. Central topics of the PrePEP conference have been methodologies to exploit observations for retrievals, nowcasting, data assimilation and parametrization development for NWP models as well as blending and probabilistic techniques towards seamless prediction including hydrological forecasts. Additional key elements of PrePEP have been a better understanding, assessment, and prediction of extreme precipitation events and floods.

The organizing committee and editors of this book of abstracts are representatives of the research unit on ”Near-Realtime Quantitative Precipitation Estimation and Prediction” (RealPEP, RU-2589), the DFG-funded special priority program ”Polarimetric Radar Observations meet Atmospheric Modelling” (PROM, SPP-2115), and the development project on a ”Seamless Integrated Forecasting System” (SINFONY) of the German Meteorological Service (DWD). Both RealPEP and PROM are funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). Research topics of these three projects formed the topics of the sessions during PrePEP:

1. From Classical to Integrated Remote Sensing

2. Enhancing Process Understanding

3. Prediction Scales and Model Development

4. Seamless Prediction

5. Precipitation and Hydrological Models

The PrePEP conference began on 16 March 2025, starting with a series of short courses. From 17 to 21 March, there were keynotes and oral presentations, as well as a poster session on 18 March. On 19 March, a guided hydrological tour of the Ahr Valley was offered. This area suffered devastating flooding in the summer of 2021. PrePEP took place in the auditorium (Aula) in the main building of the University of Bonn, the former electoral palace in the heart of Bonn.

Presentations and material of the authors and instructors of the short courses who have given their consent can be found in the weekly schedule on the conference homepage (https://indico.scc.kit.edu/e/prepep). PrePEP offered 84 oral presentations including 9 invited keynotes and 42 poster presentations.

We are delighted to present this collection of abstracts from the PrePEP conference and hope you enjoy reading them!

The Organizing Committee of PrePEP 2025