Arkin and Janowiak GPI: Infrared-Based Monthly Rainfall Estimates

40 N to 40 S latitude coverage of monthly rainfall totals on a 2.5 degree grid. Infrared observations from geostationary satellites (GOES, GMS, Meteosat) were used to produce these estimates. The data were created by the early Global Precipitation Climatology Project algorithms for the period January 1986 to December 1995.

Use Cases

• Analyze historical precipitation climatology based on infrared satellite observations
• Validate or compare modern rainfall algorithms against early GPCP methods
• Study regional rainfall variability between 1986 and 1995 based on the 2.5-degree grid
• Assess the performance of geostationary satellite data for rainfall estimation

Strengths

• Data covers a 10-year period from January 1986 to December 1995
• Provides global coverage from 40 degrees North to 40 degrees South latitude
• Gridded data at a 2.5-degree spatial resolution

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• The dataset is noted as being superseded by more advanced products

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Infrared observations from geostationary satellites processed by early GPCP algorithms

Time Range

January 1986 to December 1995

Geography

40 degrees North to 40 degrees South latitude