TRMM TMPA-RT: Near Real-Time Satellite Precipitation Estimates

TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) Near Real-Time (RT) data provides hourly precipitation estimates with a latency of about seven hours. This intermediate variable rainrate IR estimate covers a global grid of 1440x480 boxes (0.25-degree resolution) but only provides valid data within the 50N-S latitude band. The dataset was discontinued on December 31, 2019, with users encouraged to shift to successor IMERG products.

Use Cases

• Monitoring developing flood events based on near-real-time precipitation estimates.
• Assessing the accuracy of rapid satellite retrievals by comparing the 'error' field with other sources.
• Analyzing precipitation patterns in the tropics (50N-S) using the 'precip' field on a 0.25-degree grid.
• Counting satellite observations contributing to each estimate using the '# pixels' data field.

Strengths

• Provides data with a latency of about seven hours from observation time, suitable for operational use.
• Files are nearly self-documenting with a 2880-byte ASCII header specifying variables, versions, and units.
• Data structure is explicitly defined with three fields ('precip', 'error', '# pixels') on a consistent 1440x480 grid.

Limitations

• Dataset is discontinued (as of Dec. 31, 2019) and superseded by IMERG, indicating it is not for current use.
• Reduced quality compared to the research product (3B42) due to the trade-off for short latency.
• Valid estimates are only provided within the latitude band 50N-S, limiting global coverage.

Provenance

Source

TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) Near Real-Time (RT) processing stream.

Collection Method

Satellite-based infrared precipitation estimate.

Freshness

Last updated date conflicts between sources: one lists 2026-04-09, another lists 2019-12-31. The dataset is discontinued.

Geography

Global grid (0-360E, 60N-S) with valid data only in the band 50N-S.