Based on the hourly rainfall data of 1162 stations in Anhui from 2005 to 2015, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of shortterm heavy rains are analyzed. The results show that shortterm heavy rainfall happens mainly in Tapieh Mountains and Wannan Mountains. The number of shortterm heavy rains changes in a singlepeak pattern annually, concentrated in June to August, and from October to next March, and shortterm heavy rainfall hardly happens. The diurnal change exhibits a doublepeak pattern: its stronger peak appearing from 15:00 to 19:00, and the weaker peak appearing from 06:00 to 09:00, while the two valleys around 01:00 and 12:00, respectively. Also, the capability of forecasting shortterm heavy rainfall based on the WRF model is estimated in different interpolation and assessment methods. The Threat Scores (TS), calculated in different interpolation methods, are all under 2%, and there is little difference among them. The Fractions Skill Score (FSS), a neighborhoodbased verification measure, is also used to assess the skill of forecast. The study shows that FSS varies with seasons, the space and time windows, and time bias. FSS in spring is the lowest, under 15%; it is more faintly affected by time bias, spatial and temporal neighborhoods than those in summer and autumn. In summer, the FSS curves, without temporal neighborhoods, are much similar, and obviously below those with temporal neighborhoods. In autumn, the model FSS with 1 to 2 hours later is higher than synchronous FSS, while FSS with 1 to 2 hours ahead is lower, which also happens in spring, but not so clear.