Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the performances of two latest released global precipitation measurement (GPM)-era satellite precipitation final run products (integrated merged multisatellite retrievals IMERG-V06B and Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation GSMaP-V07) and one tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM)-era product (TMPA-3B42-V07) at hourly, daily, and monthly scale over the Tibetan plateau (TP), with special focus on the performances at different rain intensities, subbasins, and elevations at daily scales. Besides, hourly scale evaluations were carried out for one grid box value of IMERG-V06B and GSMaP-V07 versus 15 rain gauges on the rainy season, 2019. Results indicated that: First, GSMaP-V07 outperformed TMPA-3B42-V07 and IMERG-V06B with higher correlation coefficient and lower relative bias, mean absolute error, and root-mean-squared error values at daily and monthly scale. Second, satellite products showed overestimation during light rain and underestimation throughout moderate rain, heavy rain, and rainstorm; Third, satellite products have performed relatively better in lower elevation ( 4000 m). Fourth, satellite precipitation products performed better in the source region of the Yellow River, Yangtze River, Lancang River, and Nujiang River basins, whereas the products greatly overestimated the precipitation in the source region of the Yarlung zangbo River basin. In arid climate regions (Qiangtang Basin and Qaidam Basin), GSMaP-V07 had better performances than other products; and finally, although GSMaP-V07 showed higher overestimation than IMERG-V06B product at hourly scale, it has better consistency with rain-gauge observations. For satellite precipitation data application within the TP, we recommend the GSMaP-V07 over the IMERG-V06B. Furthermore, improvement on the multisatellite rainfall retrieval algorithm is required.
Highlights
T HE Tibetan plateau (TP) is located in central Asia and has an average elevation of about 4000 m and an area of approximately 2.5 million km2 [1]
We evaluated the performances of the tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) (TMPA-3B42-V07) and the newest global precipitation measurement (GPM) (GPMIMERG-V06B and GPM-GSMaP-V07) era rainfall products from 2015 to 2019 by considering rainfall intensities, elevation effect, and different river basin over the TP region
TMPA-3B42-V07 demonstrated better ability in capturing light precipitation events (0.1∼10 mm/d) than integrated merged multisatellite retrievals (IMERG)-V06B and GSMaP-V07 TMPA-3B42-V07 showed an underestimation in the rainfall volume of light rainfall (0.1∼10 mm/d)
Summary
T HE Tibetan plateau (TP) is located in central Asia and has an average elevation of about 4000 m (above sea level) and an area of approximately 2.5 million km2 [1]. The TP plays a crucial role in the Asian monsoon system and for atmospheric circulation at the hemispheric scale through thermal and orographic forcing [2], [3]. Present atmospheric circulation patterns over the TP and surroundings are under the combined and competitive influences of the East Asian and South Asian monsoons and the westerlies [4]. Precipitation is a vital hydrometeorological variable that plays a key role in the hydrological cycle, the energy balance of the earth as well as in the ecological environments [5]. Rainfall and snowmelt dominate the hydrological budget of the TP [6], but the paucity of meteorological data, especially precipitation, limits the in-depth understanding of the water cycle over the TP
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
