GPM TRMM Combined Convective-Stratiform Latent Heating Profiles

Version 07 is the current version of this TRMM product, superseding older versions. The dataset provides vertical profiles of latent heating released by precipitating cloud systems, a key objective of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission. Profiles are derived using TRMM Precipitation Radar information and lookup tables from numerical simulations of tropical cloud systems.

Use Cases

• Estimate vertical latent heating profiles based on precipitation-top height and rain type.
• Analyze differences between shallow and deep convection using precipitation depth information.
• Study tropical rainfall distribution and cloud dynamics using satellite-derived precipitation rates.

Strengths

• Version 07 is the current, superseding version of the data set.
• Derived from numerical simulations of tropical cloud systems using a cloud-resolving model.
• Uses TRMM Precipitation Radar information including precipitation-top height, surface rates, and rain type.

Limitations

• The CSH algorithm is severely limited by the inherent sensitivity of the TRMM PR.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Profiles are derived using TRMM PR information and lookup tables from CRM simulations of TOGA COARE.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 01:57:33.430287; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Likely tropical regions, given the focus on TRMM and TOGA COARE simulations.