CAREER: Characteristics of Rain-on-Snow Flooding in the Midwest

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $673,168 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Rain falling on snow, known as rain-on-snow (ROS), can cause rapid snowmelt, which often leads to exceptional runoff causing flooding and destruction in the communities impacted. Due to their effects, ROS events are recognized as one of the 23 unsolved problems in hydrology. In the Midwest, the effects of ROS is significantly underexplored. In this research, the investigator will carry out a comprehensive assessment of rain-on-snow flood risk in the U.S. Midwest. They will use machine learning and other methods to investigate the factors that control ROS events, their characteristics, and how they vary in space and time. The investigator will integrate the research with Indigenous knowledge and education to create ROS education curricula, and address water issues in Nebraska and the Midwest. The scientists will produce readily available educational resources, and useful, interpretable ROS flood information for local communities. The outcomes will fill a gap in knowledge and generate information that will be relevant to other regions. In addition to the significant benefit to society in contributing to solutions that will improve flood resilience, save lives and mitigate costly damages, this researcher will train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research at the Nebraska Indian Community College and University of Nebraska. ROS flooding is significantly underexplored in the Midwest. To advance the fundamental understanding of these events in the region, this

Key facts

NSF award ID
2443557
Awardee
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (NE)
SAM.gov UEI
HTQ6K6NJFHA6
PI
Tirthankar Roy
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
Estimated total
$673,168
Funds obligated
$673,168
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
07/01/2025 → 06/30/2030