NPreciSe - An Automated Satellite Precipitation Product Assessment Tool

Abstract

Abstract Satellite-based Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE) are indirect estimates of precipitation rates and as such are often prone to errors, warranting a need for characterizing the associated uncertainties before being used in application-specific studies. Moreover, multiple satellite-based QPE products are offered through different agencies, each with their own specifications, formats and requirements, posing a challenge to understanding the products uncertainties. This manuscript presents a standardized validation system named NPreciSe – NOAA Satellite-based Precipitation Validation System, which assesses the performance of satellite-based precipitation products in near real-time over the continental United States. NPreciSe is coupled with a user-interactive web platform and built using an open-source software, Python. It is structured to help (1) the end-users determine the best satellite QPE for their specific application, and (2) the algorithm developers identify systematic biases in QPE retrievals. This manuscript presents the capabilities of the NPreciSe, discusses the methodology adopted in developing the standardized validation system, and introduces the web portal.