Random errors of oceanic monthly rainfall derived from SSM/I using probability distribution functions

Global averages and random errors associated with the monthly oceanic rain rates derived from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data using the technique developed by Wilheit et al. (1991) are computed. Accounting for the beam-filling bias, a global annual average rain rate of 1.26 m is com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly weather review 1993-08, Vol.121 (8), p.2351-2354
Main Authors: Chang, Alfred T. C., Chiu, Long S., Wilheit, Thomas T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Marine
Meteorology
Meteorology And Climatology
Water in the atmosphere (humidity, clouds, evaporation, precipitation)
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Global averages and random errors associated with the monthly oceanic rain rates derived from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data using the technique developed by Wilheit et al. (1991) are computed. Accounting for the beam-filling bias, a global annual average rain rate of 1.26 m is computed. The error estimation scheme is based on the existence of independent (morning and afternoon) estimates of the monthly mean. Calculations show overall random errors of about 50-60 percent for each 5 deg x 5 deg box. The results are insensitive to different sampling strategy (odd and even days of the month). Comparison of the SSM/I estimates with raingage data collected at the Pacific atoll stations showed a low bias of about 8 percent, a correlation of 0.7, and an rms difference of 55 percent.
ISSN:0027-0644
1520-0493
DOI:10.1175/1520-0493(1993)121<2351:reoomr>2.0.co;2