GPM 3GPROFNOAA18MHS_CLIM: Global Monthly Precipitation Grids from Satellite Radiometer

GPM_3GPROFNOAA18MHS_CLIM is a Version 07 climate-reference dataset from NASA's GES DISC. It provides global gridded monthly precipitation averages at 0.25-degree resolution, derived from the NOAA18 satellite's MHS microwave sensor using the GPROF algorithm with homogeneous ECMWF-Interim reanalysis ancillary data. The data is designed for climate studies and is sensitive to both liquid and ice-phase precipitation.

Use Cases

• Climate trend analysis based on homogeneous, climate-referenced monthly precipitation averages.
• Validating and comparing precipitation models based on microwave sensor retrievals sensitive to liquid and ice hydrometeors.
• Studying global atmospheric water vapor and precipitation patterns based on 0.25-degree gridded data.

Strengths

• Version 07 is the current, superseding version of the dataset.
• Uses homogeneous ECMWF-Interim reanalysis ancillary data specifically for climate time series consistency.
• Provides global coverage at a 0.25-degree x 0.25-degree spatial resolution.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Ancillary data from ECMWF-Interim has a 2-3 month lag behind regular production.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) via GES DISC.

Collection Method

Retrievals from the NOAA18 satellite's Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) processed by the GPROF algorithm.

Time Range

Monthly averages; specific temporal coverage is not stated.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 01:57:58.477709; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global.