GMAO-FP Precipitation and Clouds 

The Goddard Earth Observing System Forward Processing (GEOS-FP) system is a research model maintained by NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) that combines millions of weather observations with a predictive model to create a global best estimate of weather conditions, which can be used to help predict rainfall, snowfall, and the formation of clouds. 

This animation overlays total precipitation (rain and snow) with simulated clouds fields. As mean global surface temperatures rise, precipitation and cloud formation patterns are shifting. Tracking these changes over time allows for a more accurate calculation and prediction of the risks associated with hazards like flash floods, severe storms, and declining air quality. 

In addition to producing precipitation, clouds play a critical role in climate. Depending on their elevation, thickness, and the presence of aerosol particles, clouds can either reflect sunlight (cooling the planet) or trap heat emitted from Earth’s surface (heating the planet). The degree to which cloud properties may change in coming decades is currently one of the largest sources of uncertainty in climate projections. 


For more information: 
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5149/ 

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