Article Type:
Research Article

Evaluation of High-Resolution Satellite Precipitation Products over Very Complex Terrain in Ethiopia

Feyera A. Hirpa Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut

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Mekonnen Gebremichael Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut

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Thomas Hopson National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Print Publication:
01 May 2010
Collections:
International Precipitation Working Group (IPWG)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JAMC2298.1
Page(s):
1044–1051
Restricted access

Abstract

This study focuses on the evaluation of 3-hourly, 0.25° × 0.25°, satellite-based precipitation products: the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B42RT, the NOAA/Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH), and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN). CMORPH is primarily microwave based, 3B42RT is primarily microwave based when microwave data are available and infrared based when microwave data are not available, and PERSIANN is primarily infrared based. The results show that 1) 3B42RT and CMORPH give similar rainfall fields (in terms of bias, spatial structure, elevation-dependent trend, and distribution function), which are different from PERSIANN rainfall fields; 2) PERSIANN does not show the elevation-dependent trend observed in rain gauge values, 3B42RT, and CMORPH; and 3) PERSIANN considerably underestimates rainfall in high-elevation areas.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Mekonnen Gebremichael, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, 261 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2037, Storrs, CT 06269-2037. Email: mekonnen@engr.uconn.edu

This article included in the International Precipitation Working Group (IPWG) special collection.

Abstract

This study focuses on the evaluation of 3-hourly, 0.25° × 0.25°, satellite-based precipitation products: the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B42RT, the NOAA/Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH), and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN). CMORPH is primarily microwave based, 3B42RT is primarily microwave based when microwave data are available and infrared based when microwave data are not available, and PERSIANN is primarily infrared based. The results show that 1) 3B42RT and CMORPH give similar rainfall fields (in terms of bias, spatial structure, elevation-dependent trend, and distribution function), which are different from PERSIANN rainfall fields; 2) PERSIANN does not show the elevation-dependent trend observed in rain gauge values, 3B42RT, and CMORPH; and 3) PERSIANN considerably underestimates rainfall in high-elevation areas.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Mekonnen Gebremichael, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, 261 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2037, Storrs, CT 06269-2037. Email: mekonnen@engr.uconn.edu

This article included in the International Precipitation Working Group (IPWG) special collection.

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Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

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