GPM_2AGPROFF18SSMIS: Satellite-Based Precipitation Profiles from SSMIS Radiometer

Precipitation and atmospheric hydrometeor profiles retrieved from the SSMIS sensor on the DMSP F18 satellite using the GPROF algorithm. The dataset is produced by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and is part of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission constellation. Version 07 is the current operational version, superseding all older data releases.

Use Cases

• Analyzing global precipitation distribution and intensity based on retrieved rain rates.
• Studying the vertical structure of clouds and precipitation using the retrieved profile data.
• Conducting climate trend analysis using consistent, multi-sensor records from the GPM constellation.
• Validating and calibrating numerical weather prediction models with satellite-derived precipitation fields.

Strengths

• Provides consistent precipitation retrieval across multiple satellite sensors (GMI, SSMIS, AMSR2, etc.) using a unified Bayesian algorithm.
• Offers three processing levels (near-real-time, standard, climate) with different ancillary data for various research needs.
• Includes uncertainty estimates for the retrieved precipitation profiles.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and spatial/temporal granularity beyond '1.5 hours 12 km' are not specified in the provided metadata.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data from the SSMIS radiometer on the DMSP F18 platform, processed with the Goddard Profiling (GPROF) algorithm.

Time Range

Coverage is likely continuous from the sensor's operational period, but specific start/end dates are not provided.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:14:56.321457; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global coverage, as typical for polar-orbiting satellite missions.