Storm Precipitation Analysis System (SPAS)

The Storm Precipitation Analysis System (SPAS) is a state-of-the-science hydrometeorological tool used to characterize the magnitude, temporal, and spatial details of precipitation events.  Over the past fourteen years, SPAS have been proven to be the most reliable and accurate tool available to analyze precipitation events.  The results have been used and accepted in all PMP studies since 2002, in forensic cases in courts of law, and has been verified/validated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  SPAS has been used to analyze more than 850 extreme precipitation events for PMP development, runoff model calibration/validation, and storm reconstructions for legal cases.  SPAS has unique capabilities, increased accuracy over all other radar-based precipitation products, and unmatched reliability.  SPAS is the industry’s best gauge-adjusted and radar-calibrated rainfall system. Incorporating sophisticated quality control algorithms, SPAS utilizes real-time rain gauge observations, optimized NEXRAD radar data, and a climatological “basemap” approach to produce gridded rainfall at a spatial resolution of 1/3rd-square mile and a temporal resolution of 5-minutes (with radar).  In addition, unlike the National Weather Service products, it is the only precipitation analysis system which can analyze storms in regions where terrain blocks the radar beam and during radar outages.

SPAS Information

SPAS Program Description
SPAS Real-Time Precipitation Fact Sheet 
SPAS Real-Time Comparison Chart Against NWS

SPAS Comparisons vs NWS Products

SPAS vs NWS MPE runoff comparison
SPAS vs NWS MPE total storm isohyetal
SPAS vs NWS MPE stage 4-Pompton Lakes example
SPAS Spatial and Temporal comparisons
SPAS Hydrologic Model Output example

SPAS Real-Time

SPAS is available in real-time with similar output and forecasting capabilities.  Contact us to learn how this can help you with your reservoir management and energy production decisions as well as basin monitoring for flood control.
SPAS Real-Time description 

Interactive Map
​SPAS Storm Analyses

---