Global Monthly Precipitation Estimates on a 2.5-Degree Grid

NOAA_NCEI's Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) Version 2.2 provides monthly satellite-gauge merged precipitation estimates. The dataset covers January 1979 onward, with a two-to-three month processing delay. This superseded version is maintained for reproducing prior studies.

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term precipitation trends using the monthly satellite-gauge combined product on the 2.5-degree grid.
• Quantifying uncertainty in precipitation estimates with the satellite gauge random error precipitation product.
• Studiating regional climate variability by examining the merged microwave, infrared, and gauge data across the global grid.
• Reproducing historical climate studies that specifically relied on the GPCP Version 2.2 data series.

Strengths

• Covers a continuous record from January 1979 to present.
• Integrates multiple data sources (satellite microwave, infrared, sounder, and gauge analyses) on a consistent 2.5-degree global grid.

Limitations

• Version 2.2 is superseded; newer versions contain improved estimates.
• Data availability lags real-time by two to three months.

Provenance

Source

NOAA_NCEI (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Environmental Information).

Collection Method

Optimal merging of estimates from international satellite constellations and precipitation gauge analyses.

Time Range

January 1979 to present.

Freshness

Monthly updates appended to yearly files.

Geography

Global coverage on a 2.5-degree latitude/longitude grid.