Bayesian Quantile-Based Correction and Synthesis of Hydrologic Products

Abstract

River-flow forecasting requires predictive distributions that remain informative in both routine and extreme conditions. We develop a Bayesian quantile-based correction-and-synthesis framework built on Dynamic Quantile Linear Models (DQLMs). The framework links U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) observations, retrospective products, and ensemble forecast products through a shared latent quantile process, learns dynamic discrepancies for each external source, and combines quantile-specific posterior predictions into a single predictive distribution. We also adapt variational Bayes inference to the extended dynamic quantile linear model using Laplace--Delta approximations for non-conjugate parameters. The methodology is illustrated using daily flow for the San Lorenzo River together with products from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), with emphasis on medium-range forecasting and uncertainty quantification across multiple quantile levels.

29 pages, 13 figures, 8 tables