Evaluation of five gridded precipitation products for estimating precipitation and drought over Yobe, Nigeria

Abstract

Ground observations are often considered as the most reliable and precise source of precipitation data. However, long-term precipitation data from ground observations are lacking in many parts of the world. Gridded precipitation products (GPPs) therefore have emerged as crucial alternatives to ground observations, but it is essential to assess their capability to accurately replicate precipitation patterns. This study aims to evaluate the performance of five GPPs, NASA POWER, TerraClimate, Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Climate Data (CHIRPS), GPCC, and Climate Research Unit (CRU), in capturing precipitation and drought patterns from 1981 to 2021 in Yobe, Nigeria. The results indicate that GPCC had good performance at both monthly and annual scales, with high correlation coefficients and low error values. However, it tends to underestimate precipitation amounts in certain areas. Other products also exhibit satisfactory performance with moderate correlations with ground observations. Drought analysis indicates that GPCC outperforms other products in standardised precipitation index-6 calculations, while NASA POWER demonstrates inconsistencies with ground observations, particularly during the early 1980s and mid-2000s. In conclusion, GPCC is the most preferable GPP for precipitation and drought analysis in the Yobe State in Nigeria.