Assessment of Near-Real-Time Satellite Precipitation Products from GSMaP in Monitoring Rainfall Variations over Taiwan

This study assessed four near-real-time satellite precipitation products (NRT SPPs) of Global Satellite Mapping Precipitation (GSMaP)—NRT v6 (hereafter NRT6), NRT v7 NRT7), Gauge-NRT GNRT6), and GNRT7)— in representing the daily monthly rainfall variations over Taiwan, an island with complex terrain. The GNRT are gauge-adjusted version products. Evaluations for warm (May–October) cold months (November–April) were conducted from May 2017 to April 2020. By using observations more than 400 surface gauges Taiwan as a reference, our evaluations showed that had greater error underestimating mean rainfall, especially during months. Among SPPs, NRT7 performed best quantitative estimation; however, when examining scale, GNRT6 GNRT7 superior, particularly monitoring stronger (i.e., intense) events months, respectively. Spatially, major improvement NRT6 (from GNRT7) southwestern was revealed (cold) From NRT7, estimation primarily occurred northwestern Possible explanations differences between ability SPPs attributed algorithms used SPPs. These findings highlight different GSMaP should be studying or purposes (e.g., warning floods seasons, features etc.).