GPM GPROF: Satellite-Based Precipitation Profiles from NOAA-19 MHS

Version 07 is the current climate-reference version of this dataset, using ECMWF-Interim reanalysis for homogeneous ancillary data. The GPROF algorithm retrieves precipitation profiles from the NOAA-19 MHS passive microwave sensor as part of the GPM constellation, providing a large sampling of global 3-hour coverage. The data is produced by NASA's Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term climate trends in precipitation based on the climate-reference (CLIM) product design.
• Validating weather and climate models using the retrieved mean rain rate and vertical hydrometeor structure.
• Studying global atmospheric water vapor patterns based on the large spatial and temporal sampling provided by the GPM constellation.
• Comparing precipitation retrievals across different satellite sensors mentioned in the description (GMI, SSMI, SSMIS, AMSR2, etc.).

Strengths

• Provides a climate-consistent data record (CLIM) using homogeneous ECMWF-Interim reanalysis ancillary data.
• Algorithm uses a Bayesian method with a common a-priori database, making it parametric and suited for a multi-sensor constellation approach.
• Retrieves a mean rain rate along with the vertical structure of cloud and precipitation hydrometeors and their uncertainty.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for specific modeling tasks.
• Climate product uses ECMWF-Interim data with a 2-3 month lag behind regular production.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).

Collection Method

Data retrieved by the GPROF (GPM Profiling) algorithm from the NOAA-19 MHS (Microwave Humidity Sounder) passive microwave radiometer.

Time Range

Time series intended for climate analysis; specific temporal coverage is not provided in the input.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 01:56:58.118638; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global coverage, as implied by the satellite-based GPM constellation mission.