GPCPDAY: Global Daily Precipitation Estimates at 0.5-Degree Resolution

GPCP Precipitation Level 3 Daily 0.5-Degree V3.3 (GPCPDAY) is a global satellite-based precipitation dataset produced by NASA under the Global Precipitation Climatology Project. It provides daily estimates on a 0.5-degree grid, merging GPM IMERG data within 55°N-S and TOVS/AIRS estimates elsewhere, and includes probability of liquid phase estimates. The dataset is currently paused at September 2024 pending a calibration update for its input data.

Use Cases

• Modeling global water and energy cycles based on the dataset's role in the GEWEX program.
• Analyzing long-term, homogeneous precipitation records based on the description of the dataset's continuity.
• Studying precipitation phase (liquid vs. solid) based on the provided probability of liquid phase estimates.
• Calibrating or validating regional climate models based on the 0.5-degree daily gridded data.

Strengths

• Provides a long, homogeneous precipitation record using modern merging techniques, as stated in the description.
• Internally consistent across product suite (daily, monthly) and includes probability of liquid phase estimates.
• Spatial resolution is explicitly stated as 0.5-degree.

Limitations

• Data updates are paused at September 2024, limiting recency until a new calibration scheme is implemented.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and exact file sizes are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Global Precipitation Climatology Project.

Collection Method

Satellite-based estimates merged from GPM IMERG (55°N-S) and TOVS/AIRS data (outside 55°N-S), scaled to monthly values.

Time Range

Long-term record; current data pause at September 2024.

Freshness

Currently paused; last metadata update was 2026-03 13.

Geography

Global coverage.