The September 2019 floods in Spain: An example of the utility of satellite data for the analysis of extreme hydrometeorological events

Major floods in Spain September 9–13, 2019 resulted seven casualties and massive losses to agriculture, property infrastructure. This paper investigates the utility of satellite data to: (1) characterize event when input into a hydrological model, provide an accurate picture evolution floods; (2) inform meteorologists real time order complement model forecasts. It is shown that precipitation estimates from Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory (GPM-CO, available since 2014) merged extraordinary improvement over previous technologies monitor severe hydrometeorological episodes near time. In spite known biases errors, these new can be broad practical interest deal with emergencies long-term readiness, especially for semi-arid areas potentially affected by ongoing global warming. Comparisons outputs more direct observations such as rain gauges ground radars reinforce idea satellites are fundamental appropriate management events. • The IMERG product useful monitoring storms Mediterranean. Integration models save lives assists planning. integration numerical forecasts seems unavoidable. More research on effects deep convection land required.