Iowa Flood Study Satellite Precipitation Analysis

Iowa is the focus of this satellite-derived precipitation dataset collected for the Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) field campaign from April 1 to June 30, 2013. The dataset is a subset of the TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B42RT real-time product, providing 3-hourly, 0.25-degree gridded estimates. It was produced by the GPM Ground Validation team and is archived by the GHRC DAAC.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite precipitation estimates against concurrent ground-based radar and gauge data collected during the IFloodS campaign.
• Analyzing the spatial and temporal patterns of rainfall leading to flood events in the Midwestern United States.
• Calibrating hydrological models for flood forecasting using high-temporal-resolution (3-hourly) precipitation inputs.
• Studying the integration of microwave and infrared satellite estimates for improved precipitation measurement.

Strengths

• Data is specifically tailored for a major ground validation campaign (IFloodS), enabling direct satellite-to-ground comparison.
• Provides fine-scale precipitation estimates at 3-hourly temporal and 0.25-degree spatial resolution.
• Integrates multiple data sources, including microwave and infrared satellite estimates and surface gauge analyses where feasible.

Limitations

• Conflicting last updated dates exist between sources (2013-06 30 and 2026-03-13), creating uncertainty about metadata maintenance.
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and detailed column names are not provided by any source.
• License information is inconsistent, listed as 'other-license-specified' or 'None' across platforms.

Provenance

Source

GPM Ground Validation team, archived by GHRC DAAC.

Collection Method

Calibration-based sequential scheme combining microwave and infrared estimates from multiple satellites, with surface gauge analyses.

Time Range

2013-04-01 to 2013-06-30

Freshness

2026-03-13 01:59:07.479329

Geography

Iowa, United States.