TRMM/PR L3: Monthly Global Surface Rain at 5-Degree Grid

TRMM/PR L3 Monthly Surface Rain is produced by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) from the Precipitation Radar (PR) sensor onboard the TRMM satellite. The data provides monthly rainfall, rain rate averages, standard deviation, and probability distribution functions on a 5-degree by 5-degree global grid at three height layers (2 km, 4 km, and 6 km). The current product version is Version 7, with the last metadata update recorded on 2015-04-02.

Use Cases

• Modeling 3-dimensional rainfall structure based on the PR sensor's vertical profiling capability.
• Analyzing monthly rain rate averages and variability over land and ocean based on the gridded statistical data.
• Estimating profiles of latent heat release by combining PR data with TMI measurements as described.
• Studying global precipitation probability distribution functions at specified atmospheric heights.

Strengths

• Data is from the first quantitative rain radar instrument flown in space, providing innovative measurements.
• Provides a 3-dimensional structure with data at three height layers (2 km, 4 km, and 6 km).
• Covers a global spatial scale with a 5-degree by 5-degree grid resolution.
• Statistical period is one month, allowing for analysis of monthly precipitation patterns.

Limitations

• Last updated 2015-04-02 23:59:59; freshness should be verified.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect temporal or instrumental bias inherent to the TRMM mission period.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Collection Method

Obtained from the Precipitation Radar (PR) sensor onboard the TRMM satellite.

Time Range

Monthly statistical periods (specific date range not provided).

Freshness

Last updated 2015-04-02 23:59:59.

Geography

Global