Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1392
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1392
22 Jul 2024
 | 22 Jul 2024

Infilling of Missing Rainfall Radar Data with a Memory-Assisted Deep Learning Approach

Johannes Meuer, Laurens M. Bouwer, Frank Kaspar, Roman Lehmann, Wolfgang Karl, Thomas Ludwig, and Christopher Kadow

Abstract. Incomplete spatio-temporal meteorological observations can result in misinterpretations of the current climate state, uncertainties in early warning systems, or inaccuracies in nowcasting models and can thereby pose signficant challanges in hydrology research or similar applications. Traditional statistical methods for infilling missing precipitation data demand substantial computational resources and fail over large areas with sparse data – like temporary outages of weather radars. Although recent machine learning advancements have shown promise in addressing missing meteorological or satellite observations, they typically focus on spatial aspects, overlooking the complex spatio-temporal variability characteristic of precipitation, especially during extreme events. We propose a deep convolutional neural network enhanced with a temporal memory component to better account for temporal changes in precipitation fields. This approach can analyse arbitrary sequences from before and/or after the incomplete observation of interest. Our model is trained and evaluated on the hourly RADKLIM dataset, which features 1-km resolution precipitation derived from combined radar and weather station data across Germany. By infilling both synthetic and actual data gaps of RADKLIM, the study demonstrates the model's effectiveness, providing detailed insights into its capabilities during significant rainfall events, such as those in May 2012 and July 2021, including those responsible for the Ahrtal flood. This novel approach represents a step forward in hydrological applications, potentially improving the way we predict and manage water-related events by increasing the accuracy and reliability of precipitation data analysis.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

12 Aug 2025
Infilling of missing rainfall radar data with a memory-assisted deep learning approach
Johannes Meuer, Laurens M. Bouwer, Frank Kaspar, Roman Lehmann, Wolfgang Karl, Thomas Ludwig, and Christopher Kadow
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 3687–3701, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-3687-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-3687-2025, 2025
Short summary
Johannes Meuer, Laurens M. Bouwer, Frank Kaspar, Roman Lehmann, Wolfgang Karl, Thomas Ludwig, and Christopher Kadow

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1392', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Dec 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Johannes Meuer, 19 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1392', Anonymous Referee #2, 09 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Johannes Meuer, 19 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1392', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Dec 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Johannes Meuer, 19 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1392', Anonymous Referee #2, 09 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Johannes Meuer, 19 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to revisions (further review by editor and referees) (18 Mar 2025) by Lelys Bravo de Guenni
AR by Johannes Meuer on behalf of the Authors (19 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (14 May 2025) by Lelys Bravo de Guenni
AR by Johannes Meuer on behalf of the Authors (23 May 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

12 Aug 2025
Infilling of missing rainfall radar data with a memory-assisted deep learning approach
Johannes Meuer, Laurens M. Bouwer, Frank Kaspar, Roman Lehmann, Wolfgang Karl, Thomas Ludwig, and Christopher Kadow
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 3687–3701, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-3687-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-3687-2025, 2025
Short summary
Johannes Meuer, Laurens M. Bouwer, Frank Kaspar, Roman Lehmann, Wolfgang Karl, Thomas Ludwig, and Christopher Kadow
Johannes Meuer, Laurens M. Bouwer, Frank Kaspar, Roman Lehmann, Wolfgang Karl, Thomas Ludwig, and Christopher Kadow

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Short summary
Our study focuses on filling in missing precipitation data using an advanced neural network model. Traditional methods for estimating missing climate information often struggle in large regions where data is scarce. Our solution, which incorporates recent advances in machine learning, captures the intricate patterns of precipitation over time, especially during extreme weather events. Our model shows good performance in reconstructing large regions of missing rainfall radar data.
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