A new global dataset offers a detailed view of 17 years of rainfall
In short: Researchers have created the CPC Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP), a comprehensive dataset covering global monthly rainfall from 1979 to 1995. By combining ground-based gauges, satellite estimates, and numerical models, the study produced a high-quality map of precipitation patterns with full global coverage.
The researchers merged various data sources to fill gaps in individual datasets, finding that the resulting CMAP dataset shows no discontinuities over the 17-year period. While the dataset aligns well with previous analyses over land and tropical oceans, differences were noted in extratropical oceanic regions. This tool allows for more detailed study of phenomena like El Niño.
Why it matters: This integrated dataset provides a more detailed and continuous way to study global rainfall patterns and climate phenomena.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Xie and Arkin (1997). Global Precipitation: A 17-Year Monthly Analysis Based on Gauge Observations, Satellite Estimates, and Numerical Model Outputs. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
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