SAFARI 2000 TRMM 3B-43: Monthly Precipitation Estimates, 1999-2001

Global precipitation data from 40 degrees south to 40 degrees north latitude provides monthly best-estimate precipitation rates and root-mean-square error. The dataset combines satellite-based infrared estimates with rain gauge analyses from CAMS and GPCC. It covers the years 1999, 2000, and 2001 at a 1-degree by 1-degree spatial resolution.

Use Cases

• Validating climate models based on monthly precipitation estimates over the tropics.
• Analyzing seasonal rainfall patterns using the 1-degree gridded data.
• Assessing precipitation error uncertainty via the included root-mean-square error field.
• Studying the SAFARI 2000 campaign region's hydrometeorology during the covered years.

Strengths

• Combines two independent data sources (satellite IR and rain gauge analysis) for a best-estimate product.
• Provides a defined temporal coverage of three full years (1999-2001).
• Offers a consistent 1-degree by 1-degree spatial resolution across a large latitudinal band.

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low: column names, row counts, and exact file sizes are unknown.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates exist between platforms (2001 vs. 2026), suggesting potential metadata issues.
• Spatial coverage is limited to the tropics and subtropics (40S to 40N), excluding higher latitudes.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing (TRMM) combined with ground-based rain gauge analysis (CAMS/GPCC).

Time Range

1999 to 2001

Freshness

2026-04-09 22:47:20.768540 (datagov), but data content covers 1999-2001.

Geography

Global band from 40 degrees south to 40 degrees north latitude.