Revisiting the use of the Gumbel distribution: A Frequency Analysis Perspective

Abstract

The manuscript presents the applicability of the Gumbel distribution in the frequency analysis of extreme events in hydrology. The advantages and disadvantages of using the distribution are highlighted, as well as recommendations regarding its proper use. A literature review was also carried out regarding the methods of estimating the parameters of the Gumbel distribution in hydrology. Thus, for the verification of the methods, case studies are presented regarding the determination of the maximum annual flows and precipitations using 9 methods of estimating the distribution parameters. The influence of the variability of the observed data lengths on the estimation of the statistical indicators, the estimation of the parameters and the quantiles corresponding to the field of small exceedance probabilities (p