The Version-2 Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) Monthly Precipitation Analysis (1979–Present)

Abstract

The Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) Version-2 Monthly Precipitation Analysis is described. This globally complete, monthly analysis of surface precipitation at 2.5 latitude 2.5 longitude resolution is available from January 1979 to the present. It is a merged analysis that incorporates precipitation estimates from low-orbit satellite microwave data, geosynchronous-orbit satellite infrared data, and surface rain gauge observations. The merging approach utilizes the higher accuracy of the low-orbit microwave observations to calibrate, or adjust, the more frequent geosynchronous infrared observations. The dataset is extended back into the prem-icrowave era (before mid-1987) by using infrared-only observations calibrated to the microwave-based analysis of the later years. The combined satellite-based product is adjusted by the rain gauge analysis. The dataset archive also contains the individual input fields, a combined satellite estimate, and error estimates for each field. This monthly analysis is the foundation for the GPCP suite of products, including those at finer temporal resolution. The 23-yr GPCP climatology is characterized, along with time and space variations of precipitation.

Absorbing Aerosols and Summer Monsoon Evolution over South Asia: An Observational Portrayal

“…Monthly precipitation data came from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) version 2 (Adler et al 2003), the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) (Xie and Arkin 1997), and the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) TS 2.1 dataset (Mitchell and Jones 2005). Both GPCP and CMAP precipitation are available on a 2.5°ϫ 2.5°grid, while CRU precipitation is at 0.5°ϫ 0.5°over land only.…”

Simulation of the Global Hydrological Cycle in the CCSM Community Atmosphere Model Version 3 (CAM3): Mean Features

“…Retrieval algorithms are described in detail in Stowe et al (1988) and Stowe et al (1989). The Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) Version-2 Monthly Preciptation Analysis is a global precipitation dataset on a 2.5 degree grid extending from 1979-2003(Adler et al 2003. It is a merged dataset consisting of satellite microwave and infrared data and surface rain gauge data.…”

Asymmetrical Interannual Variation in Aerosol Optical Depth over the Tropics in Terms of Aerosol-Cloud Interaction

“…In addition, this study used the monthly mean precipitation from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (Adler et al 2003) version 2.2 on 2.5 × 2.5 degree cells and monthly mean 850-hPa zonal and meridional winds from the Japanese 25-year Re-Analysis Project (Onogi et al 2007) on 2.5 × 2.5 degree cells for the period March 2000 through December 2012.…”