Precipitation From the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2

The Goddard Profiling Algorithm 2010 Version 2 (GPROF2010V2) was adapted for use for the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) on board the Global Change Observation Mission-Water satellite. This study presents the validation and evaluation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's AMSR2 precipitation product. Rain rates calculated by GROF2010V2 meet mission accuracy requirements, with root-mean-squared error of 1.3 mm·h
^-1
and 3.6 mm·h
^-1
over ocean and land, respectively. In addition to meeting instantaneous rain rate requirements, GPROF2010V2 captures monthly and seasonal precipitation patterns relative to rain gauge analysis. Recurring problems with the algorithm over land surfaces, such as false alarms due to snow cover and surface contamination, are identified. These deficiencies can be mitigated using separate day/night screening procedures and ancillary information on daily snow cover.