Grand Average Precipitation Climatology

  • Released Wednesday, October 16th, 2019
  • Updated Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 1:45PM
  • ID: 4760
Grand Average Precipitation Climatology

Grand Average Precipitation Climatology

The Grand Average Climatology dataset covers June 2000 to May 2019. It shows the well-known structure of global precipitation: Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) near the Equator, South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) and smaller South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ), relatively dry subtropical highs, and mid-latitude storm tracks. The relatively fine spatial resolution (0.1° lat./lon.) gives a more detailed picture than the previous NASA product (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission [TRMM] Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis [TMPA], 0.25°), and its near-global coverage, better sampling in time, and improved algorithms provide wider coverage and more confidence in the results. The satellite input allows NASA researchers to estimate precipitation over both land and ocean, which networks of surface sensors do not provide. The most reliable estimates are provided over ocean; warm land is second-best, coastal areas are third, and snow/ice-covered regions are least certain.

Colorbar for the IMERG Grand Average Climatology dataset. Cooler colors are areas that receive very little rain. Warm colors receive more rain.

Colorbar for the IMERG Grand Average Climatology dataset. Cooler colors are areas that receive very little rain. Warm colors receive more rain.

Alternative colorbar for the IMERG Grand Average Climatology with white outline and white text.

Alternative colorbar for the IMERG Grand Average Climatology with white outline and white text.

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

Datasets used in this visualization

IMERG
Data Compilation NASA/GSFC 6/2000 - 5/2019

Dataset can be found at: http://pmm.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/document_files/IMERG_ATBD_V4.4.pdf

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