GPM 3GPROF METOP-B: Global Monthly Precipitation Averages from Microwave Radiometers

Global gridded monthly precipitation averages derived from the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) on the METOP-B satellite using the GPROF algorithm. The data is a Climate-Reference product (Version 07) from NASA's GES DISC, using homogeneous ECMWF-Interim reanalysis for ancillary atmospheric conditions. It provides a 0.25-degree x 0.25-degree spatial resolution for climate studies.

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term global precipitation patterns for climate studies based on the climate-reference product design
• Validating and calibrating climate models based on satellite-derived precipitation retrievals
• Studying the sensitivity of microwave sensors to liquid and ice-phase hydrometeors as described in the algorithm
• Investigating atmospheric water vapor and precipitation relationships over monthly timescales

Strengths

• Uses Version 07, the current and superseding version of the data product
• Provides a homogeneous climate time series using consistent ECMWF-Interim reanalysis ancillary data
• Offers a 0.25-degree x 0.25-degree global grid for detailed spatial analysis

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• ECMWF-Interim ancillary data has a 2-3 month lag behind regular production, which may affect near-real-time applications

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GES DISC

Collection Method

Retrievals from the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) on the METOP-B satellite processed with the GPROF algorithm.

Time Range

Monthly averages; specific temporal coverage is not provided in the input.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 13 01:58:09.365706; freshness should be verified

Geography

Global coverage.