GPM Radiometer Precipitation Profiles from Multiple Satellite Sensors

Version 07 data provides consistent precipitation retrievals from a constellation of 11 passive microwave sensors, including GMI, TMI, SSMIS, AMSR2, MHS, ATMS, and SAPHIR. The Goddard Profiling algorithm uses a Bayesian method to retrieve mean rain rate, vertical cloud structure, and hydrometeor profiles. Data is produced by the GES DISC for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission.

Use Cases

• Analyze mean rain rate and its uncertainty for global precipitation trend studies.
• Model vertical profiles of cloud and precipitation hydrometeors using the retrieved structure data.
• Compare brightness temperature observations with simulated Tb values from the algorithm's a-priori database.
• Study sensor consistency by comparing retrievals from GMI, SSMIS, AMSR2, and other partner sensors.
• Investigate 3-hour global coverage patterns achieved by the GPM constellation.

Strengths

• Data from 11 different satellite sensors provides broad spatial and temporal coverage.
• Algorithm uses a consistent Bayesian method and a-priori database for retrievals across the sensor constellation.
• Products include near-real-time (3-hour), standard (48-hour), and climate (3-month) versions for different use cases.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and spatial resolution details are not provided in the input.
• The description does not specify the exact temporal coverage start and end dates.
• Earlier mission data may be archived separately, potentially complicating long-term trend analysis.

Provenance

Source

GES DISC (Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center).

Collection Method

Retrievals from passive microwave satellite sensors using the Goddard Profiling (2AGPROF) Bayesian algorithm.

Time Range

Covers the operational period of the involved satellites (GPM, TRMM, DMSP, etc.); specific range not stated.

Freshness

Version 07 is the current version; older versions are superseded and unavailable.

Geography

Global coverage.