TRMM_2A25: 3D Rainfall Rate and Profile from Precipitation Radar

TRMM Precipitation Radar data provides a three-dimensional distribution of rain rates globally. The dataset contains estimates of average rainfall rate between altitudes, parameters of Z-R relationships, and integrated rain rates for each radar beam position. It offers two distinct resolution profiles based on the satellite's operational phase before and after August 2001.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical rain profiles based on three-dimensional distribution estimates
• Calibrating ground-based radar using parameters of Z-R relationships
• Studying temporal changes in precipitation resolution using pre- and post-boost orbital parameters
• Mapping integrated rainfall over swaths using calculated rain rate per beam

Strengths

• Provides a three-dimensional distribution of rain, not just surface estimates
• Contains detailed intermediate parameters like Z-R relationship coefficients and rain layer boundaries
• Offers two calibrated resolution sets (pre- and post-boost) covering a long mission period

Limitations

• Specific column names and dataset size (rows/bytes) are not provided in any source
• Sources conflict on the last update date (2026-04-09 vs 2015-04-01)
• License is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' without details

Provenance

Source

GES_DISC

Collection Method

Estimates derived from the TRMM Precipitation Radar using the algorithm described by Iguchi and Meneghini (1994)

Time Range

From mission start before 7 August 2001 to mission end after 24 August 2001

Freshness

2026-04-09 21:39:31.518381

Geography

Global coverage from the TRMM satellite orbit