Abstract
Rainfall has been estimated at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) since 1985 using the ESOC Precipitation Index (EPI), a statistical cloud indexing method which assumes that the larger the cold cloud core, the heavier the precipitation. The index has been converted into rainfall by applying the linear regression method to the EPI and observed precipitation from a high-density network of rain-gauges. The accuracy of the method as a function of geographical location and season has been assessed. The results on the geographical applicability of the method indicated that the estimation of precipitation is plausible only in the tropical areas exposed to convective precipitation. In the subtropical zone, where frontal rains frequently occur, the technique has little skill. The study of the seasonal variations revealed that estimated rainfall was well in line with the observed values for all the seasons except for the transition period from the dry to the rainy season, when the method largely overestimated the observed rainfall.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
