Comprehensive Evaluation of Satellite‐Based Precipitation at Sub‐Daily Time Scales Over a High‐Profile Watershed with Complex Terrain

A comprehensive evaluation of satellite-based precipitation data from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission reveals that its final hourly product offers reliable, research-level accuracy for complex mountainous terrains like Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site prone to rainfall-triggered debris flows. The study found that while early and late GPM products showed moderate correlation with ground observations, the final product demonstrated superior performance, effectively reproducing diurnal precipitation cycles and capturing cumulative rainfall patterns. Despite challenges in reducing missing reports, the findings support the development of early-warning systems for geological disasters and provide insights for improving rainfall retrieval algorithms in similar high-altitude regions.

Liu, S., Hu, K., Zhang, S., & Zeng, Y. (2019). Comprehensive Evaluation of Satellite‐Based Precipitation at Sub‐Daily Time Scales Over a High‐Profile Watershed with Complex Terrain. Earth and Space Science, 6(12), 2347–2361. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019ea000855