Object-Based Analysis of Satellite-Derived Precipitation Systems over the Low- and Midlatitude Pacific Ocean

The Method for Object-based Diagnostic Evaluation (MODE) developed by Davis et al. is implemented and extended to characterize the temporal behavior of objects and to perform a diagnostic analysis on the spatial distribution and properties of precipitation systems over the equatorial Pacific Ocean....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly weather review 2009-10, Vol.137 (10), p.3196-3218
Main Authors: SKOK, Gregor, TRIBBIA, Joe, RAKOVEC, Jože, BROWN, Barbara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Artificial neural networks
Atmospheric models
Climate
Convolution
Datasets
Diagnostic systems
Earth, ocean, space
El Nino
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Marine
Meteorology
Missing data
Movement
Neural networks
Oceans
Pacific Ocean
Precipitation
Precipitation estimation
Precipitation systems
Rainfall
Remote sensing
Satellites
Sensitivity analysis
Spatial analysis
Spatial distribution
Studies
Temporal logic
Tropical rainfall
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)
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Summary:The Method for Object-based Diagnostic Evaluation (MODE) developed by Davis et al. is implemented and extended to characterize the temporal behavior of objects and to perform a diagnostic analysis on the spatial distribution and properties of precipitation systems over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The analysis is performed on two satellite-derived datasets [Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN)]. A sensitivity analysis showed that temporal convolution produces an unwanted "spillover" effect and that a large spatial convolution radius produces too much smoothing, which results in unrealistically large objects. The analysis showed that the largest and most long-lived precipitation systems in the tropical Pacific are typically located in the western part. A good ability to track precipitation systems in the tropical Pacific was demonstrated: movement of precipitation systems in the ITCZ is both westward and eastward although westward movement is more frequent and in the eastern part of the Pacific ITCZ the westward movement is dominant. Movement of systems in the midlatitudes was predominantly eastward. These findings were common to both satellite products, despite the fact that the average rainfall accumulation can differ by 20%-30% and the occurrence of systems with long life spans can differ by 20%. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0027-0644
1520-0493
DOI:10.1175/2009MWR2900.1