Evaluating TMPA Rainfall over the Sparsely Gauged East African Rift

• DOI: 10.1175/jhm-d-18-0103.1
• Publication Date: 2018-09-14T19:38:41Z
• Authors: Elise Monsieurs; Dalia Bach Kirsch...; Jackson Tan; Jean-Claude Maki ...; Liesbet Jacobs; Pierre-Denis Plis...; Wim Thiery; Augusta Umutoni; Didace Musoni; Toussaint Mugaruk...; Gloire Bamulezi G...; Guy Ilombe Mawe; Luc Bagalwa; Clairia Kankurize; Caroline Michellier; Thomas Stanley; Francois Kervyn; Matthieu Kervyn; Alain Demoulin; Olivier Dewitte
• Keywords: Quantitative precipitation estimation; Natural hazard

Abstract Accurate precipitation data are fundamental for understanding and mitigating the disastrous effects of many natural hazards in mountainous areas. Floods landslides, particular, potentially deadly events that can be mitigated with advanced warning, but accurate forecasts require timely estimation precipitation, which is problematic regions such as tropical Africa limited gauge measurements. Satellite rainfall estimates (SREs) great value areas, rigorous validation required to identify uncertainties linked SREs hazard applications. This paper presents results an unprecedented record western branch East African Rift, temporal resolutions ranging from 30 min 24 h records 1998 2018. These were used validate Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) research version near-real-time products 3-hourly, daily, monthly accumulations, over multiple spatial scales. Results indicate there at least two factors led underestimation TMPA regional level: complex topography high intensities. The product shows overall stronger underestimations lower absolute errors a better performance higher intensities compared version. We found area-averaged relatively more suitable order move toward assessment, scarcely distributed gauges representativeness context variability.