GPM_2AGPROFF15SSMI_CLIM: Satellite-based Global Precipitation Profiles at 12 km Resolution

Version 07 climate-referenced precipitation data from the GPM mission's SSM/I sensor on the DMSP F15 satellite. The dataset is produced by NASA using the Goddard Profiling (GPROF) algorithm, a Bayesian method that retrieves rain rates and vertical hydrometeor structure from passive microwave brightness temperatures. It uses homogeneous ECMWF-Interim reanalysis as ancillary data to ensure consistency for climate time series, with the last metadata update recorded on 2026-03 13.

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term global precipitation trends based on climate-referenced, homogeneous ancillary data.
• Validating weather and climate models using retrieved vertical profiles of cloud and precipitation hydrometeors.
• Studiating the uncertainty in satellite rain rate estimates based on the Bayesian algorithm's probabilistic output.
• Comparing precipitation retrievals across different sensor constellations based on the consistent GPROF methodology.

Strengths

• Provides a large sampling of global precipitation, contributing to the bulk of 3-hour coverage achieved by the GPM mission.
• Uses a consistent, parametric Bayesian algorithm (GPROF) with an a-priori database, making it suitable for a multi-sensor constellation approach.
• Climate product version (CLIM) uses ECMWF reanalysis for homogeneous ancillary data, enabling consistent long-term records.

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 for specific computational needs.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Retrieved via the Goddard Profiling (GPROF) algorithm from passive microwave brightness temperatures measured by the SSM/I sensor on the DMSP F15 satellite.

Time Range

Time series intended for climate analysis; specific temporal coverage is not stated.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 01:55:36.831276; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global coverage at a 12 km spatial resolution.