Performance evaluation of multiple satellite rainfall products for Dhidhessa River Basin (DRB), Ethiopia

Abstract. Precipitation is a crucial driver of hydrological processes. Ironically, reliable characterization its spatiotemporal variability challenging. Ground-based rainfall measurement using rain gauges more accurate. However, installing dense gauging network to capture can be impractical. Satellite-based estimates (SREs) could good alternatives, especially for data-scarce basins like in Ethiopia. SRE plagued with uncertainties arising from many sources. The objective this study was evaluate the performance latest versions several products (i.e., CHIRPS2, IMERG6, TAMSAT3 and 3B42/3) Dhidhessa River Basin (DRB). Both statistical modeling approaches were used evaluation. Soil Water Analysis Tool (SWAT) simulations. results showed that whereas all four are promising estimate detect DRB, CHIRPS2 dataset performed best at annual, seasonal monthly timescales. simulation-based evaluation SWAT's calibration sensitive dataset. response basin found dominated by subsurface processes, primarily groundwater flux. Overall, both IMERG6 data sources analysis DRB. Moreover, climatic season DRB influences streamflow estimation. Such information important estimation algorithm developers.