Mid-Atlantic Projected Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) Curve Data Tool

Posted on: 5/29/2025 - Updated on: 6/19/2025

Posted by

CAKE Team

Overview

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Virginia have experienced increases in extreme rainfall events over the past few decades, exacerbating flooding and stormwater challenges throughout the region. Climate change research has also shown that these increases in extreme rainfall are anticipated to continue throughout the 21st century. As a result, urban and coastal flooding could be more severe and more frequent in the future. This presents stormwater engineers and planners with a key challenge: how to incorporate these recent and future changes in rainfall into stormwater infrastructure design and management.

To support entities in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Virginia in mitigating these challenges, the authors of this technical report (attached below) updated intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves, a common tool used for stormwater infrastructure design, to reflect future climate changes.

These updated IDF curves are generated from the best-available science and are publicly available in an interactive online tool. Using the online tool, the updated IDF curves can be easily integrated and used across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Virginia to plan, design, and build infrastructure assets to be more resilient to climate change. Data can also be downloaded.

Citation

Miro, M., DeGaetano, A., Samaras. C., Romita Grocholski, K., López-Cantú, T., Webber, M., Eck, B. (2021). “Projected Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) Curve Tool for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Virginia”. Northeast Regional Climate Center. https://midatlantic-idf.rcc-acis.org/

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Managing Organizations

Carnegie Mellon University, Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC), RAND Corporation (RAND), Mid-Atlantic Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (MARISA) Program

Managing Organizations

Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) Network

The Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) network, formerly known as the Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) Program, comprises regional teams who conduct collaborative research on weather and climate-related issues of concern to decision makers and community planners at state and local levels. CAP is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Program Office.