Krogh et al. (2026) The Major June 2023 Flood Event in Central Chile: Hydrometeorological Characterization and Rain-on-Snow Contribution

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Hydrometeorology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-08-18
• Authors: Sebastian A. Krogh, René Dario Garreaud, Lucía Scaff, Deniz Bozkurt, Raul A. Valenzuela
• DOI: 10.1175/jhm-d-25-0149.1

Research Groups

• Centro de Ciencia del Clima y la Resiliencia (CCCR)
• Universidad de Chile, Departamento de Geografía
• Instituto de Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
• Laboratorio de Hidrología y Meteorología, Universidad de Concepción

Short Summary

This study investigates the hydrometeorological characterization of the Major June 2023 Flood Event in Central Chile, with a focus on the contribution of rain-on-snow processes to the flood magnitude. The research reveals that the event was influenced by a combination of atmospheric and terrestrial factors.

Objective

• Investigate the role of rain-on-snow events in contributing to extreme flooding in central Chile.
• Characterize the hydrometeorological conditions leading up to and during the Major June 2023 Flood Event.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: The study focuses on the central region of Chile, specifically the Maule River basin.
• Temporal Scale: The research examines a single event (Major June 2023 Flood) but also considers long-term trends in precipitation and temperature.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: The study employs the Noah-MP land surface model to simulate hydrological processes.
• Data sources: The research utilizes high-resolution weather simulation data from ERA5, as well as satellite imagery and ground-based observations.

Main Results

• The Major June 2023 Flood Event was characterized by intense precipitation and rapid snowmelt in the Maule River basin.
• Rain-on-snow events contributed significantly to the flood magnitude, with up to 50% of the total precipitation falling as rain on existing snowpack.
• The study highlights the importance of considering both atmospheric and terrestrial factors when predicting extreme flooding events.

Contributions

• This research provides new insights into the role of rain-on-snow processes in contributing to extreme flooding in central Chile.
• The findings have implications for flood risk management and mitigation strategies in the region.

Funding

• This study was funded by the Centro de Ciencia del Clima y la Resiliencia (CCCR) through a grant from the Ministerio del Medio Ambiente.

Citation

@article{Krogh2026Major,
  author = {Krogh, Sebastian A. and Garreaud, René Dario and Scaff, Lucía and Bozkurt, Deniz and Valenzuela, Raul A.},
  title = {The Major June 2023 Flood Event in Central Chile: Hydrometeorological Characterization and Rain-on-Snow Contribution},
  journal = {Journal of Hydrometeorology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1175/jhm-d-25-0149.1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1175/jhm-d-25-0149.1}
}