GPM_2AGPROFNOAA20ATMS: Satellite-Based Global Precipitation Profiles

Version 07 of the GPM GPROF Level 2 algorithm retrieves precipitation and atmospheric profiles from passive microwave sensors on the NOAA-20 satellite and other partner missions. The algorithm uses a Bayesian method with an a-priori database to provide mean rain rates, vertical cloud structure, and uncertainty estimates. This dataset is produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and was last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Modeling global precipitation distribution based on the retrieved rain rate fields.
• Analyzing vertical cloud and hydrometeor structure based on the retrieved profile data.
• Conducting climate trend analysis using the consistent, multi-sensor Bayesian retrieval approach.
• Validating weather forecast models using the near-realtime (NRT) product with GANAL forecast fields.

Strengths

• Provides consistent precipitation retrieval across multiple satellite sensors (GMI, SSMI, SSMIS, AMSR2, TMI, MHS, ATMS).
• Algorithm uses a parametric Bayesian method, making it well-suited for the GPM constellation approach.
• Offers three processing levels (NRT, standard, climate) with different ancillary data for varied use cases.

Limitations

• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect temporal or sensor-specific bias inherent to the satellite constellation.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data processed by the GPM GPROF (Level 2) Bayesian algorithm.

Time Range

Temporal coverage is implied to be ongoing, with data available within 3 hours (NRT), 48 hours (standard), or 3 months (climate) of collection.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:08:51.379278; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Likely provides global coverage from the satellite constellation.