Global Precipitation Measurement Microwave Radiometer Rainfall Profiles

GPM's GPROF algorithm retrieves precipitation profiles from 11 different passive microwave sensors on partner satellites, providing bulk 3-hour global coverage. Version 07 data from the METOP-B MHS radiometer offers consistent rain rates and vertical hydrometeor structure using a Bayesian method with a common a-priori database. The dataset is produced by NASA's GES DISC.

Use Cases

• Estimating mean rain rate from retrieved brightness temperature proximity to simulated profiles.
• Analyzing the vertical structure of cloud and precipitation hydrometeors for storm characterization.
• Comparing precipitation retrievals across 11 different satellite sensors for constellation consistency.
• Using the Bayesian algorithm's uncertainty estimates to quantify retrieval confidence.
• Studying 3-hour global precipitation coverage patterns for climate model validation.

Strengths

• Algorithm provides consistent retrievals across 11 different satellite sensors.
• Data products include near-realtime (3-hour), standard (48-hour), and climate (3-month) versions for different use cases.

Limitations

• Specific row count, geographic granularity, and temporal range for the METOP-B subset are not provided.
• Climate product relies on ECMWF reanalysis, creating dependency on a separate model's output.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Bayesian-type retrieval algorithm (GPROF) applied to brightness temperature observations from the METOP-B MHS radiometer.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Global coverage.