Duration

Rainfall intensity figures quoted on the NIWA site are for maximum intensity over a ten-minute duration. Intensity may vary within this period, and roof drains can overflow quickly when demand exceeds capacity. A 1-minute rainfall intensity can be as much as 4.2 times higher than the 10-minute intensity.

To account for short-term rainfall intensity, various factors should be applied to internal and external gutters, and to drains depending on their location and consequence of overflow. See Short-Term Intensity Multiplication Factors.

Comparison of 10-Minute Published Intensity with 1-Minute and 2-Minute Intensities

Comparing 1 and 2 min intervals with 50 year ARI

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