The manual describes procedure for estimating the maximum probable precipitation and the maximum probable flood. This is the third revised version. The first and second editions of this manual were published in 1973 and 1986, respectively. The current edition keeps a majority of the content from the second edition. Newly added content in this third edition primarily results from experiences, since 1986, in directly estimating PMP for the requirements of a given project in a design watershed on probable maximum flood (PMF) in China, the United States of America, Australia and India.--Publisher's description.

Generalized estimates of probable maximum precipitation have been available for the United States east of the 105th meridian for several years. The need for similar data for the planning and design requirements of the Soil Conservation Service in the region west of the 105th meridian led that agency to cooperate with estimates for that area. This report presents generalized estimates of probable maximum precipitation for areas from a point to 400 square miles and for durations up to 24 hours.