Climate-referenced Version 07 data uses ECMWF-Interim reanalysis for homogeneous ancillary data over the time series. The GPROF algorithm retrieves precipitation profiles and hydrometeor vertical structure from SSMIS sensor brightness temperatures using a Bayesian method. This product is part of the GPM constellation data managed by the GES DISC.
Use Cases
- Analyze long-term precipitation trends using climate-referenced mean rain rate retrievals.
- Study vertical cloud structure from retrieved profiles of cloud and precipitation hydrometeors.
- Validate satellite retrieval algorithms by comparing observed and simulated brightness temperatures.
- Assess precipitation uncertainty using the uncertainty estimates provided with the rain rate.
- Investigate sensor inter-comparability within the GPM constellation using the parametric Bayesian method.
Strengths
- Provides consistent climate-referenced data records using homogeneous ECMWF-Interim ancillary data.
- Uses a parametric Bayesian algorithm suited for multi-sensor constellation approach.
- Retrieves vertical structure of hydrometeors in addition to surface precipitation.
Limitations
- Ancillary data for climate products has a 2-3 month lag behind regular production.
- Specific spatial resolution, temporal coverage, and sample size details are not provided in the input.
- Earlier mission data may be archived separately, requiring additional integration effort.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA GES DISC, using data from the DMSP F16 satellite's SSMIS sensor processed by the GPROF algorithm.
- Collection Method
- Bayesian retrieval algorithm using an a-priori database of rain profiles and simulated brightness temperatures matched to observed SSMIS Tb.
- Time Range
- Climate time series (specific start/end dates not provided).
- Freshness
- Version 07 is the current version; older versions are superseded and unavailable.
- Geography
- Global coverage from the GPM satellite constellation.