AMSR2 Near Real-Time Global Swath Precipitation Data

2012-present near real-time global swath data provides surface precipitation rates and types from the AMSR2 instrument on the GCOM-W1 satellite. The Land Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) system processes data using the GPROF 2017 V2R algorithm within 3 hours of observation. This dataset supports operational monitoring and is produced by NASA in collaboration with JAXA.

Use Cases

• Monitoring global rain rates and precipitation types for weather forecasting.
• Analyzing atmospheric water vapor and cloud microphysics for climate studies.
• Validating and calibrating other satellite or ground-based precipitation measurement systems.
• Investigating the spatial and temporal distribution of liquid precipitation events.

Strengths

• Data is processed and available within 3 hours of satellite observation, enabling near real-time analysis.
• Uses the established GPROF 2017 V2R rainfall retrieval algorithm, consistent with standard science products.
• Provides global spatial coverage from a dedicated water cycle observation satellite (GCOM-W1).

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and a complete column schema are not provided across any source.
• Sources conflict on license details: one specifies 'other-license-specified', others list 'None'.
• Near real-time processing may trade some accuracy for latency compared to final science-quality products.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Collection Method

Passive microwave measurements from the AMSR2 instrument on the GCOM-W1 satellite, processed by the AMSR SIPS/LANCE system using the GPROF 2017 V2R algorithm.

Time Range

2012-present (implied by mission operation).

Freshness

2026-03-12 23:03:26.990906

Geography

Global.