In order to secure the quality of precipitation estimates, ground validation (GV) of satellite data and retrieval algorithms is essential. Since end-to-end comparisons between instantaneous precipitation data observed by satellite and groundbased instruments is not enough to improve the algorithms. The error of various physical parameters in the precipitation retrieval algorithms (e.g. attenuat...

This study describes the daily lighting cycle and the annual thunderstorm distribution as observed by the Precipitation Radar (PR), the Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS) and the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite over South America. Based on a TRMM measurements from 1998 through 2011, a database of individual thunderstorms have bee...

We develop an over-ocean rainfall retrieval algorithm for the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) based on the Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP) microwave radiometer algorithm. This algorithm combines an emissionbased estimate from brightness temperature (Tb) at 23 GHz and a scattering-based estimate from Tb at 89 GHz, depending on a scattering index (SI) computed from Tb at...

Prior research has shown that deforestation in the southwestern Amazon enhances the formation of nonprecipitating shallow cumulus clouds, while deep cumulus convection was favored over forested land. The research presented here further investigates the trends of hydrometeors in the area by examining how precipitation frequency changes as a function of distance to the forest’s edge. Measurements...

A prototype has been developed that enables Google Earth to access the ~13 terabyte precipitation archive of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). While other organizations distribute TRMM satellite data for display in Google Earth, this prototype is the first application that allows Google Earth to examine single-orbit files at full resolution in 3D. This archive access tool is inten...

The Goddard Convective-Stratiform Heating (CSH) algorithm has been used to retrieve latent heating (LH) associated with clouds and cloud systems in support of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. CSH requires use a cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulate LH profiles build look-up tables. This paper describes current V6 its differences/simil...

ABSTRACT The low density of precipitation gauges, the areas difficult access and high number missing values hinder a rapid effective hydrological monitoring. Thus, present study aims to statistically validate estimates by data Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) in relation observed Conventional Meteorological Stations (CMSs) geographic regions Brazil. statistical indicators used were: C...

The scattering of electromagnetic energy by hydrometeors forms the basis of radar meteorology. Knowledge of hydrometeor types can be very important in particular applications. The occurrence of mixed-phase conditions, especially the melting of snow and ice, impacts on the accuracy of radar-based precipitation estimation and the discrimination of rain and hail is often very important in severe w...