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An Update on Oceanic Precipitation Rate and its Zonal Distribution in Light of Advanced Observations from SpaceThis study contributes to the estimation of the global mean and zonal distribution of oceanic precipitation rate using complementary information from advanced precipitation measuring sensors and provides an independent reference to assess current precipitation products. Precipitation estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) and CloudSat cloud profiling radar (CPR) were merged, as the two complementary sensors yield an unprecedented range of sensitivity to quantify rainfall from drizzle through the most intense rates. At higher latitudes, where TRMM PR does not exist, precipitation estimates from Aqua's Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) complemented CloudSat CPR to capture intense precipitation rates. The high sensitivity of CPR allows estimation of snow rate, an important type of precipitation at high latitudes, not directly observed in current merged precipitation products. Using the merged precipitation estimate from the CloudSat, TRMM, and Aqua platforms (this estimate is abbreviated to MCTA), the authors' estimate for 3-yr (2007-09) nearglobal (80degS-80degN) oceanic mean precipitation rate is approx. 2.94mm/day. This new estimate of mean global ocean precipitation is about 9% higher than that of the corresponding Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) value (2.68mm/day) and about 4% higher than that of the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP; 2.82mm/day). Furthermore, MCTA suggests distinct differences in the zonal distribution of precipitation rate from that depicted in GPCPand CMAP, especially in the Southern Hemisphere.
Document ID
20150000265
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Behrangi, Ali
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Stephens, Graeme
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Adler, Robert F.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Huffman, George J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Lambrigsten, Bjorn
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Lebstock, Matthew
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
January 8, 2015
Publication Date
January 31, 2014
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Climate
Publisher: AMS
Volume: 27
Issue: 11
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN13492
Report Number: GSFC-E-DAA-TN13492
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX12AD03A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
profiling radar
Precipitation estimates
precipitation radar
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